The cache is not at the posted coordinates. Instead you will have to find them somewhere on this cache page. The final is within 3 km of the posted.

Please, NO photos of the cache itself.

INTRODUCTION:

We've had fun putting these caches out and everybody seems to be having fun finding them (unless of course, certain insects are out to "get you"). So, we are putting out more (caches, not insects). The theme this time is INSECTS (as you've already figured out by the title). Some of these you may encounter on your geocaching trips and some of them you may wish you had not. Instead of a steady line of caches down the trail, we thought we'd try something new for us. All are easy puzzle caches and the geoart is one of our favorite insects: the dragonfly - as it eats what annoys us all the most: mosquitoes.

TRANSPORTATION:

The K&P trail is a single lane dirt road with gravel on it in some areas. You can hike it, bike it or drive it albeit very slowly. When placing the caches we never drove over 15 km/hr. Mostly it was at about 10 km/hr. Just when you think it's smooth going a huge puddle hole will "get" you. On bikes, you will have no trouble except if you go out after heavy rain (or during rainfall) as it will be muddy in areas. On foot, be aware that there are very few houses along the way - so don't go alone. Safety in numbers. There are some pretty streams along the way, wetlands and Graham Lake just North of Lavant Station (a nice place for a picnic lunch).

INSECT:

Wolf spiders are members of the family^N Lycosidae, from the Ancient Greek word "λύκος" meaning "wolf". They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly solitary⁴ and hunt alone. Some are opportunistic hunters pouncing upon prey as they find it or even chasing it over short distances. Some will wait for passing prey in or near the mouth⁵ of a burrow.

There are many genera of wolf spider, ranging in body⁰ size (legs not included) from less than 10 to 35 mm. They have eight eyes arranged in three rows. The bottom row consists of four small eyes, the middle³ row has two very large eyes, and the top row has two medium-sized eyes. They depend on their excellent eyesight to hunt.^. They also possess an acute sense of touch.

Flashing a beam of light over the spider will produce eyeshine. The light from the flashlight has been reflected from the spider's eyes directly⁴ back toward its source, producing a glow that is easily noticed. This is also especially helpful because the wolf spiders are nocturnal and will be out hunting³ for food, making it easier to find them. Wolf spiders possess the third best eyesight of all spider species, bested only by jumping spiders of the order Salticidae (who can distinguish⁹ colors) as well as the huntsman spiders.

Wolf spiders are unique^W in the way that they carry their eggs. The egg sac, a round silken globe, is attached to the spinnerets at the end of the abdomen, allowing the spider to carry her unborn young with her. The abdomen⁰ must be held in a raised position to keep the egg case from dragging on the ground. However, despite this handicap, they are still capable⁷ of hunting. Another aspect unique to wolf spiders is their method of infant care. Immediately after the spiderlings emerge from their protective⁶ silken case, they clamber up their mother's legs and crowd onto her abdomen.

Because they depend on camouflage for protection, they do not have the flashy appearance of some other kinds of spiders. In general their coloration is appropriate⁴ to their favorite habitat.

Some members of the Lycosidae² make deep tubular burrows in which they lurk much of the time. Others seek shelter under rocks and other shelters as nature may provide.^. They may wander from place to place, and are therefore more likely to be the ones attracted into human habitation when the weather starts to turn colder in autumn.

Wolf spiders will inject venom if continually provoked. Symptoms of their venomous⁸ bite include swelling, mild pain, and itching.

Wolf spiders can be found in a wide range of habitats both coastal and inland. These include shrublands, woodland, wet coastal forest, alpine meadows, suburban gardens,² and homes. Spiderlings disperse aerially and consequently wolf spiders have wide distributions. Although some species have very specific microhabitat needs (such as stream-side gravel beds or montane herb-fields) most are wanderers without permanent homes. Some build burrows which can be left open or have a trapdoor (depending on species). Arid zone species construct⁷ turrets or plug their holes with leaves and pebbles during the rainy season to protect themselves from flood waters.

Wolf Spider with Spiderlings

Wolf Spider with Egg Sac