Six-spotted Fishing Spider
Dolomedes triton
This record describes Dolomedes triton (species). Recorded family: Dolomedidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
The abdomen has a series of small paired white and/or light blue spots. The sternum is marked with six large black spots. However, those black spots sometimes blend together, as seen in the image below. This species and D. striatus appear to have striped femurs. While all other species have banded femurs. ~ Lynette 10/15/11 For additional ID guidance, please see the genus page .
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
Around emergent vegetation in calm bodies of water (ponds, lakes, slow streams)
Geographic Range
Thoughout the United States and southern Canada, although seldom encountered in the Rockies and Great Plains.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Examples of juveniles:
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Dolomedes triton (Walckenaer, 1837) Greek (τριτων): named after the minor sea god, son of Poseidon. The common name "six-spotted fishing spider" comes from the 6 dark spots on the sternum, not the spots (usually 10) visible on the dorsal abdomen.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Dolomedes triton. 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 Six-spotted Fishing Spider (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Troy Bartlett; Additional contributions by Lynette Elliott , cheins , Chuck Entz , Ben Coulter , kschnei , ceiseman , edanko , Nathaniel Green , chuuuuung
Frequently Asked Questions About Six-spotted Fishing Spider
What is Six-spotted Fishing Spider?
Six-spotted Fishing Spider (Dolomedes triton) is a species in the family Dolomedidae, within the order Araneae.
How do you identify Six-spotted Fishing Spider?
The abdomen has a series of small paired white and/or light blue spots. The sternum is marked with six large black spots. However, those black spots sometimes blend together, as seen in the image below. This species and D. striatus appear to have striped femurs. While all other species have banded femurs. ~ Lynette 10/15/11 For additional ID guidance, please see the genus page .
Where is Six-spotted Fishing Spider found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Around emergent vegetation in calm bodies of water (ponds, lakes, slow streams) |
| Range | Thoughout the United States and southern Canada, although seldom encountered in the Rockies and Great Plains. |
What is the life cycle of a Six-spotted Fishing Spider?
Examples of juveniles: