Arachnids of North Carolina
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View Dolomedidae Members: NC Records

Dolomedes tenebrosus - Dark fishing spider

Dolomedes tenebrosusDolomedes tenebrosusDolomedes tenebrosusDolomedes tenebrosusDolomedes tenebrosus
Male
Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Dolomedidae                                                                                 
Comments: Originally described as D. tenebrosus Hentz, 1844, despite some early reassignments, it has remained retained its original name for nearly a century at this writing.
Species Comment: One of the largest spiders in NA, it is commonly encountered n houses, where, its large leg span has generated many hyperbolic tales of people finding a spider "the size of a dinner plate!".
Identification
Online Description/Photos: Often confused with lycosid--or "wolf"--spiders, pisaurid posterior eyes are arranged in a recurved row, and their legs are typically proportionally much longer. BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical Description: The Nearctic Species of the Genus Dolomedes (Araneae: Pisauridae)
Comments: Dark brown to black and gray with a dark "face mask" bearing a central light spot above the clypeus. Usually 3 "W" shaped marks dorsally on the posterior of the abdomen.
Total Length: Female 17-24mm, males 13-16. Its long legs can create a leg span of 10cm.Adult ID: identifiable by photo
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Nova Scotia west to Manitoba; S. to TX and E. to the FL panhandle. Widespread in NC.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Dolomedes tenebrosus
Adult phenology:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: forest near streams; on tree trunks, rocks; often found in houses (seemingly especially in sinks and bathtubs, which act as pitfall traps for them).
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency:
Prey: Small fishes, tadpoles, aquatic insects, misc. other small insects as may be found.
Behavior: A diurnal fishing spider, D. tenebrosus often hunts minnows, tadpoles,and aquatic insects with its forelegs on the surface of water and its hind legs on a solid substrate. It often spends the night on tree trucks, where its markings provide excellent camouflage, and it also wanders far afield from water, prey on what it can find.

Egg sacs are carried beneath the females' bodies, until hatch. The mother than binds some leaves together as a shelter where the spiderlings can be protected until her death.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
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State Protection:
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 Photo Gallery for Dolomedes tenebrosus - Dark fishing spider

166 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2025-07-16
Burke Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: matt mcmurrian on 2025-07-12
Forsyth Co.
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Recorded by: matt mcmurrian on 2025-07-12
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: matt mcmurrian on 2025-07-12
Forsyth Co.
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Recorded by: Marilyn Westphal on 2025-06-18
Henderson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2025-06-17
Mecklenburg Co.
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Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2025-06-17
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Peter Martinek-Jenne on 2025-05-30
Alamance Co.
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Recorded by: Peter Martinek-Jenne on 2025-05-30
Alamance Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Peter Martinek-Jenne on 2025-05-30
Alamance Co.
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Recorded by: Stephanie Willis on 2025-05-29
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Stephanie Willis on 2025-05-29
Guilford Co.
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Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther on 2025-05-26
Beaufort Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-24
Brunswick Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-24
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-24
Brunswick Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2025-04-19
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2025-02-04
Rowan Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2025-02-01
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-11-24
Franklin Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-11-24
Franklin Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-11-24
Franklin Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-11-04
Chatam Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-11-04
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-11-03
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-24
Jones Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-23
Duplin Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-23
Lenoir Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-23
Sampson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-18
Macon Co.
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