Fauna
Arachnid · GBIF taxon 2150887

White-banded Fishing Spider

Dolomedes albineus

Also 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
White-banded Fishing Spider reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Katja Schulz · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
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
Classification
  1. OrderAraneae
  2. FamilyPisauridae
  3. GenusDolomedes
  4. SpeciesDolomedes albineus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. 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.
Related species
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