The Diving Bell Spider is the only species of the genus Argyroneta, belonging to the Dictynidae family is the only known species to be remained submerged in water for most of the times, be it when resting, hunting for preys, mating or laying eggs. They would only be seen on the land surface to replenish their oxygen supply. These species are indigenous to different parts of Europe and Asia.
Size: They are exceptional when it comes to size as males being 10mm to 15mm long are approximately 30% larger than their female counterparts that have a body length of 8mm to 12mm.
Color: They are light or dark brown in color, while their abdomen has a velvety appearance. When underwater they have a silvery hue mostly because of the air bubble trapped in the hairs surrounding their legs and abdomen.
Other Characteristic Features: The males have longer and slender front legs than the females that give them a stronger diving ability.
The female spider lays 30 to 70 eggs at a time in the egg sac.
The spiderlings remain with their mother for a while after birth till they mature, post which they disperse to lead a life of their own.
Their web is unique as they weave a silk bubble that is dome –shaped amidst the underwater vegetation known as diving bell. The egg sac is also constructed by the female spider within this bell.
Though they are not known to cause much harm to humans, the diving bell spiders have a painful bite which might result in mild fever, vomiting, localized pain and inflammation that would subside in a few days.
| Other Names | Water spider |
| Lifespan | One year |
| Distribution | Throughout Europe including the British Isles, as well as northern parts of Asia including countries of Russia, Turkey, Japan, Caucasus, Korea, China and Iran |
| Habitat | Underwater, mostly in ponds, marshes, eutrophic lakes, swamps, and slow moving streams |
| Common Predators | Fish and frogs |
| Diet | Aquatic insects, and mosquito larvae |
Image Credits: Assets.wired.com, Media.treehugger.com, Abc.net.au, I.pinimg.com
The Diving Bell Spider is the only species of the genus Argyroneta, belonging to the Dictynidae family is the only known species to be remained submerged in water for most of the times, be it when resting, hunting for preys, mating or laying eggs. They would only be seen on the land surface to replenish their oxygen supply. These species are indigenous to different parts of Europe and Asia.
Size: They are exceptional when it comes to size as males being 10mm to 15mm long are approximately 30% larger than their female counterparts that have a body length of 8mm to 12mm.
Color: They are light or dark brown in color, while their abdomen has a velvety appearance. When underwater they have a silvery hue mostly because of the air bubble trapped in the hairs surrounding their legs and abdomen.
Other Characteristic Features: The males have longer and slender front legs than the females that give them a stronger diving ability.
The female spider lays 30 to 70 eggs at a time in the egg sac.
The spiderlings remain with their mother for a while after birth till they mature, post which they disperse to lead a life of their own.
Their web is unique as they weave a silk bubble that is dome –shaped amidst the underwater vegetation known as diving bell. The egg sac is also constructed by the female spider within this bell.
Though they are not known to cause much harm to humans, the diving bell spiders have a painful bite which might result in mild fever, vomiting, localized pain and inflammation that would subside in a few days.
| Other Names | Water spider |
| Lifespan | One year |
| Distribution | Throughout Europe including the British Isles, as well as northern parts of Asia including countries of Russia, Turkey, Japan, Caucasus, Korea, China and Iran |
| Habitat | Underwater, mostly in ponds, marshes, eutrophic lakes, swamps, and slow moving streams |
| Common Predators | Fish and frogs |
| Diet | Aquatic insects, and mosquito larvae |
Image Credits: Assets.wired.com, Media.treehugger.com, Abc.net.au, I.pinimg.com
