Superfamily Argiopoidea 



species can be best separated by the differences in the form of 

 the epigynum and the palpus of the male as indicated in the 

 tables. Figure 731, i represents the epigynum of this species; and 

 Fig. 732, e the palpus of the male. 



This species is the Pardosa nigropalpis of Emerton. It occurs 

 throughout the eastern half of the United States. 



Pardosa sternahs (P. ster-na'lis). — In the female the cepha- 

 lothorax is black above with a median brown band beginning 

 back of the eyes and narrowed to a line on the posterior declivity 

 of the carapace; there is also a light brown band along each 

 lateral border. The abdomen is blackish above, with a yellow or 

 pale brown median lanceolate stripe at base, a pair of spots near 

 the apex of the lanceolate stripe, and four or five pairs of spots 

 forming chevrons on the hinder part of the dorsum. The form 

 of the epigynum is shown in Fig. 731 , b. 



In the male the cephalothorax is darker, and the median band 

 obscure. The abdomen is entirely black above, without markings. 

 The form of the palpus is shown in Fig. 732, c. 



The male measures a little less than one fourth inch in length; 

 the female a little more. This species is common throughout 

 most of the United States west of the Mississippi River. In 

 Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California it is very abundant, 

 being far more common than any other lycosid. It frequents 

 especially open meadows and the grassy borders of streams. It 

 is rare in wooded districts. 



Pardosa lapidicina (P. lap-i-di-ci'na). This is a somewhat 

 larger species, the male measuring one fourth inch in length; 

 the female, one third inch or more. The whole body is covered 

 with black hairs which obscure the few light markings. The 

 lighter median band of the cephalothorax is sometimes indistinct; 

 it begins between the posterior eyes, where it is narrow, and is 

 abruptly widened between the eyes and the median furrow, and 

 is constricted in front of this furrow; on each side of the cepha- 

 lothorax there is a row of irregular light spots. On the abdomen 

 there is a black-margined lanceolate mark at base, followed on 

 each side by a row of irregular pale spots; in some individuals 

 there are irregular light chevrons near the hind end of the abdomen. 

 The epigynum is represented in Fig. 731, g; the male palpus, in 

 Fig. 732, a. 



This is a common species in the Northern States, but it is 



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