Arachnid · GBIF taxon 2150887
White-banded Fishing Spider
Dolomedes albineusAlso known as Whitebanded Fishing Spider
White-banded fishing spiders are expertly camouflaged semi-aquatic predators that cling to mossy tree trunks, cypress knees, and wooden docks near slow-moving southern waterways. Their mottled greenish-grey body and striking white band beneath the eyes allow them to blend seamlessly against lichen and bark while awaiting prey. When alerted, they can slide seamlessly onto the water surface or submerge completely wrapped in a silvery bubble of trapped air to escape or hunt.
SemiaquaticCamouflagedPredator
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Tadpoles
- Aquatic insects
- Small fish
Predators
- Birds
- Frogs
- Spider wasps
ThreatsWetland destruction, water pollution, and canopy loss along waterways
HabitatsSwamps, cypress domes, wooded stream banks, and lake margins
Life span1–2 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderAraneae
- FamilyPisauridae
- GenusDolomedes
- SpeciesDolomedes albineus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- May bite defensively if cornered or crushed; observe without handling.
- Why it is dangerous
- Delivers a sharp, painful defensive bite similar to a bee sting when pressed or cornered.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a greyish-green, flattened spider on flooded timber with a white stripe under its eyes.
- What to do
- Keep hands off dark tree bark in swamps and avoid handling the spider directly.
Responsible observation
- Spotting: Scan lichen-covered tree trunks resting directly over calm swamp water.
- Approach: Move quietly and reduce vibrations, as sudden movements trigger diving behavior.
- Handling: Enjoy visually rather than catching to avoid defensive bites and protect their hydrophobic coat.
Close Relative (c) Meghan Cassidy, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Meghan Cassidy · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Benny Mazur, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative no rights reserved · cc0
Family Relative (c) Mathias Krumbholz, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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