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Dolomedes vittatus

The Dolomedes vittatus belongs to the nursery web spiders family. These spiders have a cool talent: they can glide across water in search of their next meal. Get ready to explore fascinating facts about them right here!

Scientific Classification

dolomedes vittatus

Photo Credit: Barb Sendelbach

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: These spiders can grow quite large, with some reaching up to 7.6 cm (3 inches).
dolomedes vittatus size

Photo Credit: Ben Springer

  • Color: They are either medium brown or black with white trim lines sometimes running down their side. There are white dots on the abdomen and two dark triangular marks on the cephalothorax.
  • Other Characteristic Features: Only the males have white stripes along the edges across their carapace and abdomen.

Eggs

Like other members of their genus, they produce a sac in which they lay their eggs.

Spiderlings

The spiderlings resemble tiny adults. Their mother stays in the nursery with them for a few days before leaving them to fend for themselves.

The Web

They generate webs in an irregular fashion.

Are Dolomedes vittatus Spiders Venomous?

Yes, Dolomedes vittatus spiders are venomous, but their venom is mostly harmless to humans and is used to subdue their prey.

Can Dolomedes vittatus Spiders Bite?

Yes, they can bite if threatened or provoked. However, their bite is typically not harmful to humans, causing only mild discomfort.

dolomedes vittatus bite

Photo Credit: Barb Sendelbach

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Dolomedes vittatus

Dolomedes vittatus spiders serve an important ecological function by controlling the population of aquatic insects, prawns, and even small fish. Their behavior includes a remarkable hunting technique where they utilize the surface tension of water to glide swiftly in pursuit of prey.

Natural Predator: These spiders, despite their venomous defense, are prey to birds, fish, and larger predators that share their aquatic habitat.

Prey-Predator Dynamics: The Dolomedes vittatus represents an integral part of the food web, acting as both a predator to smaller aquatic creatures and prey to larger animals. This dynamic is crucial for the balance of the ecosystems they inhabit.

Relationship with Humans: Human encounters with Dolomedes vittatus spiders are typically rare and non-threatening. While they are capable of biting, such instances are uncommon and the effects are minimal, resulting in little more than slight discomfort.

dolomedes vittatus picture

Photo Credit: Ben Springer

Quick Facts

Lifespan2 years
DistributionThe United States
HabitatCreek, river, and stream banks
DietAquatic insects, prawns, and fish

Did You Know

  • French scientist Baron Charles Athanase Walckenaer first described this species in 1837.

In essence, the Dolomedes vittatus plays a significant role in its aquatic environment, contributing to the biodiversity and ecological stability of its habitat.

The Dolomedes vittatus belongs to the nursery web spiders family. These spiders have a cool talent: they can glide across water in search of their next meal. Get ready to explore fascinating facts about them right here!

dolomedes vittatus

Photo Credit: Barb Sendelbach

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: These spiders can grow quite large, with some reaching up to 7.6 cm (3 inches).
dolomedes vittatus size

Photo Credit: Ben Springer

  • Color: They are either medium brown or black with white trim lines sometimes running down their side. There are white dots on the abdomen and two dark triangular marks on the cephalothorax.
  • Other Characteristic Features: Only the males have white stripes along the edges across their carapace and abdomen.

Eggs

Like other members of their genus, they produce a sac in which they lay their eggs.

Spiderlings

The spiderlings resemble tiny adults. Their mother stays in the nursery with them for a few days before leaving them to fend for themselves.

The Web

They generate webs in an irregular fashion.

Are Dolomedes vittatus Spiders Venomous?

Yes, Dolomedes vittatus spiders are venomous, but their venom is mostly harmless to humans and is used to subdue their prey.

Can Dolomedes vittatus Spiders Bite?

Yes, they can bite if threatened or provoked. However, their bite is typically not harmful to humans, causing only mild discomfort.

dolomedes vittatus bite

Photo Credit: Barb Sendelbach

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Dolomedes vittatus

Dolomedes vittatus spiders serve an important ecological function by controlling the population of aquatic insects, prawns, and even small fish. Their behavior includes a remarkable hunting technique where they utilize the surface tension of water to glide swiftly in pursuit of prey.

Natural Predator: These spiders, despite their venomous defense, are prey to birds, fish, and larger predators that share their aquatic habitat.

Prey-Predator Dynamics: The Dolomedes vittatus represents an integral part of the food web, acting as both a predator to smaller aquatic creatures and prey to larger animals. This dynamic is crucial for the balance of the ecosystems they inhabit.

Relationship with Humans: Human encounters with Dolomedes vittatus spiders are typically rare and non-threatening. While they are capable of biting, such instances are uncommon and the effects are minimal, resulting in little more than slight discomfort.

dolomedes vittatus picture

Photo Credit: Ben Springer

Quick Facts

Lifespan2 years
DistributionThe United States
HabitatCreek, river, and stream banks
DietAquatic insects, prawns, and fish

Did You Know

  • French scientist Baron Charles Athanase Walckenaer first described this species in 1837.

In essence, the Dolomedes vittatus plays a significant role in its aquatic environment, contributing to the biodiversity and ecological stability of its habitat.