Pardosa saltans

One of the smaller wolf spiders (5 to 7 mm). The cephalothorax (head and thorax) of the female is dark brown has a lighter brown median strip. In the male the cephalothorax is almost black with a paler grey median strip. A difficult species to identify in the field as there are other similar species.

Confirmation of this species requires examination of the genitals of mature specimens. 

Confirmation of this species: "Requires examination at high magnification in good lighting, typically examination of the genitalia." Bee, L., Oxford, G., & Smith, H. (2020). Britain's Spiders: A Field Guide. Second Edition. Princeton University Press.

Along woodland edges and sunny places within woods.

Spring and early summer.

The females make and carry several egg sacs and are fond of basking in the sun to help speed up the development of the spiderlings.

A common and widespread spider in Britain.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.