Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Dark Fishing Spider (Dolomedes tenebrosus)

click for large

Fishing spiders are similar to the larger wolf spiders in size, shape, and coloration. Species in the genus Dolomedes  are called fishing spiders because most live near water and have been reported to catch small fishes and aquatic insects from the water as they walk on the surface. The species  Dolomedes tenebrosus  is more frequently associated with wooded areas (it would be more accurately classified as a tree-dwelling spider) and is a common household invader in these locations. It occurs from New England and Canada south to Florida and Texas.

I found this one on a river bank while I was catfishing.  I caught this one, but missed a larger one when it dropped down into the water and ran away downstream.  They can really move like lightning!

D. tenebrosus  is a fairly large spider. The females are 15 to 26 millimeters in length; males are 7 to 13 millimeters. Both sexes are brownish-gray in color with black and lighter brown markings.

Dolomedes tenebrosus  are frequently found far away from water, usually in wooded settings. They hibernate as immature adults (penultimate instar) under stones or loose bark, in tree cavities, and in human-made structures.  D. tenebrosus  matures in the spring and will subsequently mate. Mature individuals may be found from early May through September. The egg cases are deposited in June and are carried around by the females until the spiderlings are ready to hatch. Young spiderlings may be found from July through September. The young are guarded by the female in a nursery web and may number 1,000 or more.

Raynox DCR-150 mounted on my Panasonic FZ8.

16 comments:

  1. Hi I never knew there were so many different spiders in Minnesota and I think your blog is fascinating, I came across it trying to figure out what kind of Spider I found in my bathroom today and I still have no idea what it is.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I like you macro photos and detailed info about spiders. I can see you love spiders and know so much about Minnesota spiders. If I send you a picture of one found could you tell me what it is ? You don't have contact me section... My very best and keep up the good photography work!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Any idea what kind of spider is this one ?https://picasaweb.google.com/102567527316483554268/Spider?authkey=Gv1sRgCLey44un8s7ZUA

    ReplyDelete
  5. It looks like a Barn Funnel Weaver (Tegenaria domestica)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Indeed resemble that but the color is a bit off, also this was pretty big. More like the boddy length was as big as a quarter diameter and the legs were long and hairy!

    http://www.cirrusimage.com/Arachnid/tegenaria_domestica_.jpg

    Thanks much about replying to my comment!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I really enjoyed your blog and it was very helpful when trying to narrow down the species of some of the spiders I see in my basement. The pictures are great too!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Is there a poison that gets rid of these forever ?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Saw one of these today in Swede Hollow in Saint Paul. Very cool!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great blog. Thank you. I love spiders! I have often been in heated debates with people who get quite angry when I tell them the brown recluse does not live in MN. So much so, that it makes me question the truth of the statement.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great blog. Thank you. I love spiders! I have often been in heated debates with people who get quite angry when I tell them the brown recluse does not live in MN. So much so, that it makes me question the truth of the statement.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I was kayaking through a wooded area that has been recently flooded near Hastings when I wedged my kayak against a tree to grab something from my bag. I looked up and this spider was chilling in the groves of the tree bark. I have never paddled so quickly as I did trying to get away from that thing. Thank you for identifying it for me!

    ReplyDelete
  13. The brown recluse has been seen in Minnesota. Sadly, my son was bitten by one a few years ago on his thigh while we were digging in the compost pile. Happily he swat it as it bit him, I removed it and brought it with to the hospital for identification as his leg began to swell and turn maroon in color.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi there,
    I run the website usaspiders.com that helps identifying common spiders in US states.
    I also have a subpage about spiders in Minnesota.
    Since it doesn't seem like you are still active on blogspot, I wanted to ask if you are interested in selling me the content and pictures you are using?
    Just get back to me at usaspiders@gmail.com if you are interested

    ReplyDelete