Garden wolf spider

Description

Anoteropsis hilaris, commonly referred to as the garden wolf spider, is a species of wolf spider that is endemic to New Zealand. Anoteropsis hilaris is small with a body length of 4.9-11mm (male) or 4.9-11.8mm (female). The main body has a pale yellow stripe on the dorsal side running from the front of the head to about two thirds down the abdomen. The abdomen and cephalothorax vary in colouration, but are typically brown with darker colours near the medial stripe. The legs are also variable but are typically yellow-brown, but may also have green segments.The eggsacs have a pinkish tinge when first laid. Anoteropsis hilaris can be distinguished from other species of Anoteropsis by the morphology of its reproductive system. noteropsis hilaris is widespread throughout both main islands of New Zealand and on some of New Zealand's smaller islands such as Stewart Island, Three Kings Islands, Snares Island and Auckland Islands. The spider occurs in grassland scrub habitats everywhere except in alpine zones. A. hilaris is one of the most abundant predatory arthropods in New Zealand's agricultural ecosystems.