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Dolomedes triton (Walckenaer, 1837)

sixspotted fishing spider


Males

  • Dolomedes triton (Walckenaer, 1837) Male

Females

  • Dolomedes triton (Walckenaer, 1837) Female

Immatures or Unknown Sex

  • Dolomedes triton (Walckenaer, 1837) Immature/Unknown Gender
  • Dolomedes triton (Walckenaer, 1837) Immature/Unknown Gender
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How to Identify Dolomedes triton (Walckenaer, 1837)

Family: PISAURIDAE Simon, 1890

Genus: Dolomedes Latreille, 1804

Species: Dolomedes triton (Walckenaer, 1837)

Origin of Name: Dolomedes is derived from Greek as a combination of words, ultimately meaning "trick, stratagem, wily, contriving".

Official Common Name: sixspotted fishing spider


Males
Male dimensions A = 5.15 mm 
B = 4.37 mm 
C = 4.33 mm 
Females
Male dimensions A = 7.38 mm 
B = 9.25 mm 
C = 6.3 mm 

Distinguishing Characteristics

Carapace greenish grey to tan. Several indistinct dark bands radiate from dorsal groove. Margins dark, submarginal bands white and extend length of carapace. Legs pale with grey, irregular, dorsal lines. Abdomen pale brown to dark reddish-brown, has series of small paired white spots. Posterior of abdomen with indistinct transverse bands. Heart mark is pale.

Range

Southern Alaska to Maine, south to southern Mexico and Cuba.

Collection Map of Museum Specimens
in The Nearctic Spider Database

Museum Specimens in The Nearctic Spider Database

Typical Habitats

Individuals are often found on or at the margins of ponds, lakes, and quiet rivers and streams.

Activity Patterns

Adults appear late May or early June until September and egg sacs can be found from July to September.

Other Web Pages

Animal Diversity Web (http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Dolomedes_triton.html)

The Nearctic Spider Database (http://www.canadianarachnology.org/data/spiders/19669)


Recent Submissions

Dolomedes triton (lena west [March 12, 2008])Observation Date: March 12, 2008 Coordinates: 29.6196, -95.1952 Observer: lena west
Observation: this creature was in my outdoor goldfish pond.  i have 4 large goldfish and a couple hundred minnows.  i hope it's not eating the minnows, but i do find dead ones regularely.  i guess i know why now...
Dolomedes triton (David Bree [May 12, 2007])Observation Date: May 12, 2007 Coordinates: 43.9098, -77.2888 Observer: David Bree
Observation: In "panne" - temporary pools in low areas between sand dunes in Sandbanks Provincial Park