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Spider Photos - Fishing Spiders
Here's some photos sent in by viewers.
Many people are confused by the 5 similar looking spiders - the harmless
Huntsman, Wolf Spider, Southern House Spider (Kukulcania), Fishing
Spider and
Brown Recluse which of course is not harmless.
The Southern House
Spider, Kukulcania (Filistata) hibernalis Hentz, is a conspicuous
arachnid in Florida due to its relatively large size and distinctive
flat, tangled web. It is common throughout Florida and much of the
southern United States in human populated areas. Males of this species
are often mistaken for the notorious Brown Recluse Spider, Loxosceles
reclusa Gertsch and Mulaik, because of their colour and general shape.
Southern House Spiders are not known to have a dangerous bite. However,
two bite cases caused the victims pain and
swelling for a few days. Occasionally, the Huntsman Spider, Heteropoda
venatoria (Linnaeus), is misidentified as a brown recluse. However, the
colour pattern on the carapace of this species is reversed, with a light
median mark on a dark background, and adults of this spider are much
larger than a brown recluse.
All photos are copyright to their
owners and may not be reproduced without permission.
Please choose a
section.
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FISHING
SPIDERS |
19 July, 2004
Hey!
We found this spider in our shed near the woods in Conowingo, MD.
Our house is right next to the Octoraro River. It seems like a
Dolomedes tenebrosus from the researching we did. It has the "w"
marks on its back. What do you think?
Becky A. McCollum |
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Hi Glenda,
Thank you very much for your reply. After your email, I searched the
web further and found this web link
http://www.surviveoutdoors.com/reference/spiders/fishing.asp
This is a dead on match for my spider, attached So it appears you
are correct, a fishing spider. This makes sense, as this spider
remained motionless for a very long time AND I live on a lake full
of frogs, probably its favourite food. Thanks very much! I am not
worried about poison spiders, I NEVER kill spiders, I think they are
great creatures and I always let them be.
Sincerely,
Ray Garrison
Hell, Michigan |
13 June, 2004
Hi there, I found this giant spider in my basement in
Hell, Michigan and can not identify it. My best guess is some sort
of Wolf spider, but this guy has stripped legs. You can see how big
he is as he is hanging onto a 2"x4" piece of lumber. If anyone can
help id this spider I would be very grateful. You have permission to
post this photo if you like.
Sincerely,
Ray Garrison |
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11 June, 2004
Hi-
I live in Southern New Jersey, near Phildelphia. Here'a a picture of
a little fellow that crawled across my foot last night coming in the
door. I thought this was a Fishing Spider, but there's a picture of
what looks like a similar spider on your site referred to as a Wolf
Spider. Can you tell me which one it is?
Great web site!
Curt W. |
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16 May, 2004
Just was wondering if I've come to the right conclusion. I
found this beauty in
the old BBQ. It hung around even when I was working on the grills
but did wander
away after about 5-7 minutes.
Thanks
Diane Krause |
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Reply: 13 December, 2001:
It's me again,
This spider is Dolomedes tenebrosus, one of the largest fishing
spiders in the United States. They make great pets, and are
commonly found near lakes and rivers, on rocks like this one is
sitting on.
happy holidays,
Paul Day
Thanks Paul. |
10 December, 2001
I found this guy here in New
York (Long Island) in between slats of
slate outside as I moved them on a warm Fall afternoon this
year. He sort of just froze after I
noticed him and didn't move for a long time.
I thought the fishing spider you have on your page could be what
he is, but I am not sure.
Thanks again,
Mimi M. |
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Reply: 26 September, 2001:
THIS AGAIN, is not a Wolf Spider. It is a
Fishing Spider, Dolomedes tenebrosus perhaps. This is probably
the largest Fishing Spider in the United States, with about a 3 inch
leg pan total. Fishing Spiders do not burrow, though I like
the person's method of attracting Wolf Spiders.
Paul Day
www.losingmylycosa.com |
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In your web
page you asked for pics of spiders. Here is one from Michigan, USA
of a rather large Wolf Spider. This male was over 55mm from leg tip
to leg tip. They grow very large around here. I would keep them in
my garden, as they would eat the pests without having to use
pesticides. I would put up large plastic owls to keep the birds away
to that my small hunters (the wolf spiders) would not be eaten. Wolf
spiders make excellent garden protectors because they do not spin
webs and generally run away if you shake the plant before trying to
pick anything. To attract them, you can use a broom handle to dig
75mm deep holes at a 45 degree angle that they like to use as
borrows. Putting these around valuable plants assures that they will
stay bug free.
- Mark |
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