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Dolomedes triton (Walckenaer, 1837)

sixspotted fishing spider


Verified Images

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 (Larry Daly [July 26, 2009])Observation Date: July 26, 2009 Coordinates: 43.0423, -83.4761 Observer: Larry Daly
Observation:

Noticed this spider in my ornamental pond. It is about 1.5" and is found resting on the floating lillypads and plants most times. Does not seem to bother the goldfish. (They are 3x larger than the spider.) The spider does not seem intimidated by the collection of green frogs that frequent the pond. I am submitting a photo to confirm identifiation. I had first thought it a pirata, but was advised by Rod Crawford, Burke Museum, Seattle that it was most likely a Dolomedes triton.


Observation Date: July 13, 2008 Coordinates: 46.8033, -72.6196 Observer: Jean Leclerc
Observation: Observed a specimen on the side of a rock in a stream, front legs pointing to water.