Fishing Spiders
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The family goes by the name nursery web spiders, and the fishing spider name is derived from its hunting strategy.
Like all spiders, the fishing spider is a carnivore (meat-eater). Unlike other spiders, ir relies on neither a ground nor a web based hunting strategy.
The six-spotted fishing spider (Dolomedes triton) in the top picture provides a graphical example. It is sitting on a rock near a big puddle, watching for appropriate prey (insects, minnows etc., al) that either lands on the top of the water or right below the surface.
Once spotted, the spider darts out onto the water to grab the prey. They can literally swim, or as some prefer, walk on water, to reach it.
The spider's larger than average size, stripes and spots makes for easy field identification.
Different fishing spider species populate different regions of the United States.
The gray colored spider in the picture on the left is another common fishing spider in the United States, dolomedes tenebrosus.
It is a relatively common species throughout the United States, with varying brown to gray colors. It is also a bit smaller than the six-spotted fishing spider.
The Nursery Web Spiders link in the box points to additional information about the family.
© 2005 Patricia A. Michaels