Discover the Six-spotted Fishing Spider, often known as the dock spider. These large, semi-aquatic spiders are daytime hunters. They’re experts at waiting near water edges, among bushes, ready to catch their next meal. Join us as we share interesting facts about these skilled hunters.
After a successful mating, the egg casings in the female form during summer and remain attached to the underside of the mother until the spiderlings are ready to hatch. Egg production mostly happens at any time between June and September. The egg sac is relatively larger compared to the size of the female.
A few days prior to hatching, the mother attaches the egg sac to some plant matter and weaves a nursery web around it to protect the young juveniles. After hatching, the baby spiders live in the nursery web for about a week or so, while the mother continues to guard its offspring. In winter, they go through a period of hibernation, spending time underbrush, inside cracks and crevices of trees, or under rocks.
Yes, Six-spotted Fishing Spiders have venom, but it’s mostly used to subdue their prey.
These spiders can bite humans if they feel threatened. However, such situations are rare, since they usually run away from people. Even if they bite, the pain is no more severe than the sting of a bee or wasp.
The Six-spotted Fishing Spider (Dolomedes triton) plays a pivotal role in aquatic ecosystems. As a predator, it helps regulate insect populations, maintaining a balance within its habitat. Its unique hunting strategy includes skimming across water surfaces to capture prey and even diving to catch small fish or tadpoles, exhibiting a fascinating example of adaptation.
Natural Predators: In the food chain, the Six-spotted Fishing Spider is both predator and prey. Birds and snakes are known to hunt these spiders, while larger predatory aquatic insects may target the young or even adult spiders.
Prey-Predator Dynamics: The dynamic between the Six-spotted Fishing Spider and its prey is a remarkable display of nature’s balance. This spider’s presence in a habitat can be an indicator of environmental health, as it requires a stable population of aquatic insects and clean water to thrive.
Relationship with Humans: While often feared due to their size, Six-spotted Fishing Spiders are harmless to humans and can reduce the number of pests. Their venom is not dangerous to people, and they rarely bite unless provoked. These spiders can be considered beneficial, as they control insect populations naturally.
| Lifespan | Females are thought to live for around a year; the males die soon after copulation |
| Distribution | Found only in the western hemisphere in parts of the USA, southern Canada, and probably in Mexico as well |
| Habitat | Mostly in ponds, swamps, slow-moving streams, lakes, as well as wooded areas close to water bodies |
| Common predators | Birds and snakes are their primary enemies; some dragonflies and wasps have also been seen preying upon them |
| Diet | Aquatic insects and small fish |
In summary, the Six-spotted Fishing Spider is an aquatic predator beneficial for pest control, harmless to humans, and ecologically significant.
Discover the Six-spotted Fishing Spider, often known as the dock spider. These large, semi-aquatic spiders are daytime hunters. They’re experts at waiting near water edges, among bushes, ready to catch their next meal. Join us as we share interesting facts about these skilled hunters.
After a successful mating, the egg casings in the female form during summer and remain attached to the underside of the mother until the spiderlings are ready to hatch. Egg production mostly happens at any time between June and September. The egg sac is relatively larger compared to the size of the female.
A few days prior to hatching, the mother attaches the egg sac to some plant matter and weaves a nursery web around it to protect the young juveniles. After hatching, the baby spiders live in the nursery web for about a week or so, while the mother continues to guard its offspring. In winter, they go through a period of hibernation, spending time underbrush, inside cracks and crevices of trees, or under rocks.
Yes, Six-spotted Fishing Spiders have venom, but it’s mostly used to subdue their prey.
These spiders can bite humans if they feel threatened. However, such situations are rare, since they usually run away from people. Even if they bite, the pain is no more severe than the sting of a bee or wasp.
The Six-spotted Fishing Spider (Dolomedes triton) plays a pivotal role in aquatic ecosystems. As a predator, it helps regulate insect populations, maintaining a balance within its habitat. Its unique hunting strategy includes skimming across water surfaces to capture prey and even diving to catch small fish or tadpoles, exhibiting a fascinating example of adaptation.
Natural Predators: In the food chain, the Six-spotted Fishing Spider is both predator and prey. Birds and snakes are known to hunt these spiders, while larger predatory aquatic insects may target the young or even adult spiders.
Prey-Predator Dynamics: The dynamic between the Six-spotted Fishing Spider and its prey is a remarkable display of nature’s balance. This spider’s presence in a habitat can be an indicator of environmental health, as it requires a stable population of aquatic insects and clean water to thrive.
Relationship with Humans: While often feared due to their size, Six-spotted Fishing Spiders are harmless to humans and can reduce the number of pests. Their venom is not dangerous to people, and they rarely bite unless provoked. These spiders can be considered beneficial, as they control insect populations naturally.
| Lifespan | Females are thought to live for around a year; the males die soon after copulation |
| Distribution | Found only in the western hemisphere in parts of the USA, southern Canada, and probably in Mexico as well |
| Habitat | Mostly in ponds, swamps, slow-moving streams, lakes, as well as wooded areas close to water bodies |
| Common predators | Birds and snakes are their primary enemies; some dragonflies and wasps have also been seen preying upon them |
| Diet | Aquatic insects and small fish |
In summary, the Six-spotted Fishing Spider is an aquatic predator beneficial for pest control, harmless to humans, and ecologically significant.
Roy Williams on March 6, 2019.
Spider Team © 2024 (Spider Identifications). All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
Follow us on: 
