Whitebanded Fishing Spider
Dolomedes albineus
This record describes Dolomedes albineus (species). Recorded family: Dolomedidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Generally an ID can be made by the white band along the 'face' (clypeus), though this is not always present in all patterning variations: D. albineus is also the only member of the North American fishing spiders to sometimes sport a mossy-green coloration on the abdomen. D. albineus often has coarse white hairs on the legs and abdomen that stick out perpendicularly to the legs/abdomen, giving the spider a bristly appearance that is not observed in other Dolomedes species in BugGuide's range. However, this feature is not always present. One other useful feature is that the head and eye (cephalic) region of the cephalothorax is raised above the rest of the cephalothorax. Significant patterning variants can also be found, such as those with entirely white heads , brown & white coloration , or extremely muted patterning .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Dolomedidae (Fishing Spiders)
- Genus
- Dolomedes (Fishing Spiders)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Often observed on trees or on walls of manmade structures. Both D. albineus and D. tenebrosus are often observed away from water, unlike their relatives in the genus.
Geographic Range
e. US to c. TX (BG data)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Dolomedes albineus Heinz 1845
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Dolomedes albineus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
As of 2023, 51,673 spider species in 136 families have been recorded, though an estimated 150,000 species exist. Spiders rank 7th in total species diversity among all organism orders. Only 0.5% of spider species pose any risk to human health.
Ecological role of the group
Spider venom contains complex peptides with diverse pharmacological activities, making them valuable for drug development research. Spiders produce up to 7 types of silk from specialized glands. Spider silk genes have been inserted into mammals and plants for biotech applications.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The global spider community kills an estimated 400-800 million tons of prey annually (2017 study). Spiders provide billions of dollars in natural pest control for agriculture. Spider silk is 5× stronger than steel of the same diameter, driving a biomaterials research industry.
Recorded sources for this group: World Spider Catalog, PNAS, Nature, ScienceDirect. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Whitebanded Fishing Spider (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Troy Bartlett; Additional contributions by Lynette Elliott , Jeff Hollenbeck , cheins , Chuck Entz , Mike Quinn , Robert Lord Zimlich , Rich Bradley , Kyhl Austin , Nathaniel Green , chuuuuung
Frequently Asked Questions About Whitebanded Fishing Spider
What is Whitebanded Fishing Spider?
Whitebanded Fishing Spider (Dolomedes albineus) is a species in the family Dolomedidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Whitebanded Fishing Spider?
Female 23 mm, male 18 mm.
How do you identify Whitebanded Fishing Spider?
Generally an ID can be made by the white band along the 'face' (clypeus), though this is not always present in all patterning variations: D. albineus is also the only member of the North American fishing spiders to sometimes sport a mossy-green coloration on the abdomen. D. albineus often has coarse white hairs on the legs and abdomen that stick out perpendicularly to the legs/abdomen, giving the spider a bristly appearance that is not observed in other Dolomedes species in BugGuide's range. However, this feature is not always present. One other useful feature is that the head and eye (cephalic) region of the cephalothorax is raised above the rest of the cephalothorax. Significant patterning variants can also be found, such as those with entirely white heads , brown & white coloration , or extremely muted patterning .
Where is Whitebanded Fishing Spider found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Often observed on trees or on walls of manmade structures. Both D. albineus and D. tenebrosus are often observed away from water, unlike their relatives in the genus. |
| Range | e. US to c. TX (BG data) |