Arachnids of North Carolina
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Dolomedes tenebrosus - Dark fishing spider     Pisauridae Members: NC Records BugGuide Account Public View
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Male

Distribution Records
PDF

Vetting Levels
Adult phenology:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge

synonym
taxonomic_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!".
id_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.
structural_features
silk_web
fld_guide_descriptions Often confused with lycosid--or "wolf"--spiders, pisaurid posterior eyes are arranged in a recurved row, and their legs are typically proportionally much longer.
online_photos
prey Small fishes, tadpoles, aquatic insects, misc. other small insects as may be found.
predators
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.
distribution_reference Bradley, Richard .A., Common Spiders of North America. University of California Press. 271pp
technical_reference The Nearctic Species of the Genus Dolomedes (Araneae: Pisauridae)
adult_id 1 identifiable by photo 2 identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info 3 identifiable from specimen only
abundance
distribution_comments Nova Scotia west to Manitoba; S. to TX and E. to the FL panhandle. Widespread in NC.
checklist_mt_high
>=4,000 ft.
Regular
Frequent
Infrequent
Occasional
Seldom
Frequency
checklist_mt_low
<4,000 ft.
Regular
Frequent
Infrequent
Occasional
Seldom
checklist_pd
Piedmont
Regular
Frequent
Infrequent
Occasional
Seldom
checklist_cp
Coastal Plain
Regular
Frequent
Infrequent
Occasional
Seldom
habitat 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
state_protection
NHP_ranks
NHP_status
status_comments

Photo Gallery for Dolomedes tenebrosus Dark fishing spider

Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Graham Co.
Comment: On exterior siding of cabin
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Stephen Dunn
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Rutherford Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Chatham Co.
Comment: White Pines Survey
Recorded by: K. Bischof
Transylvania Co.
Comment: GORG - Obs. VC bathroom. Female.
Recorded by: K. Bischof
Transylvania Co.
Comment: GORG - Obs. VC bathroom. Female.
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Graham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: K. Bischof
Transylvania Co.
Comment: GORG - Obs. cg wood shed.
Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Rockingham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther
Columbus Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Graham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Randolph Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Yadkin Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel
Yancey Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Cherokee Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn, J. Thomson
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Scotland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Scotland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Polk Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: John Petranka
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Caswell Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: John Petranka
Orange Co.
Comment: New Hope Creek Biodiversity Survey (2021-2022)
Recorded by: Jennifer Smith & Rusty James
Cumberland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: H. Quay
Orange Co.
Comment: ENRI - In superintendent's office @ -79.005057, 36.078560
Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Graham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: K. Bischof
Transylvania Co.
Comment: GORG - Obs. VC. Male.
Recorded by: John Petranka
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Vin Stanton
Buncombe Co.
Comment: found in wood pile
Recorded by: Vin Stanton
Buncombe Co.
Comment: found in wood pile
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Matt Luks
Durham Co.
Comment: Found numerous adults in our firewood pile. We’re adjacent to Virginia pine forest that includes a pond about 400’ from the house.
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Pat Momich
Madison Co.
Comment: Found in the house
Recorded by: Pat Momich
Madison Co.
Comment: Found in the house
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Surry Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: B. McRae
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
McDowell Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Henderson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Rutherford Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Bertie Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Bo Sullivan
Gates Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Robeson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Rockingham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: F. Williams, S. Williams
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - Large female
Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Graham Co.
Comment: Caught a moth
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Stanly Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - spiderling on the visitor center
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Burke Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: K. Sanford
Camden Co.
Comment: DISW
Recorded by: K. Sanford
Camden Co.
Comment: DISW
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Gates Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - side of Millpond bridge
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - picnic area supply room
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - in the picnic area supply room
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - in the picnic area supply room
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Stokes Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: T. Nergart
Transylvania Co.
Comment: GORG
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - spiderling (about 4mm) on beaver chewed stump off Cypress Point Trail
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - spiderling (about 4mm) on beaver chewed stump off Cypress Point Trail
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - very small spiderling on firewood in ranger residence at 358 Millpond Rd.
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - very small spiderling on firewood in ranger residence at 358 Millpond Rd.
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - 1 on duckweed on pond; 1 spiderling on water pennywort
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - 1 on duckweed on pond; 1 spiderling on water pennywort
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - spiderling on leaf near group canoe-in site bathroom
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - spiderling on leaf near group canoe-in site bathroom
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Warren Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - spiderlings on side of boat dock at old canoe area
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - spiderlings on side of boat dock at old canoe area
Recorded by: J. McIntyre
Chatham Co.
Comment: JORD - Vista Point Boat Ramp Restroom
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - on side of dock at old canoe area
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - on side of dock at the old canoe area
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - on side of old canoe area boat dock
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - spiderling in wood pile at 358 Millpond Rd.
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - spiderling in wood pile at 358 Millpond Rd.
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - shed or empty eaten spider in back of Clivus
Recorded by: G. Allegretti
Rutherford Co.
Comment: CHRO
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Robeson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - on visitor center
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - visitor center boat dock
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: K. Bischof
Transylvania Co.
Comment: GORG - Obs. in wood pile at Ranger 2's residence. Frozen Creek.
Recorded by: K. Bischof
Transylvania Co.
Comment: GORG - Obs. in wood pile at Ranger 2's residence. Frozen Creek.
Recorded by: j. wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - wood pile at 358 Millpond Rd.
Recorded by: j. wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - in wood pile at 358 Millpond Rd. *Note: pictures of this spider were taken with a personal camera on personal time.
Recorded by: J. Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - in back on the old canoe building
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Halifax Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: J. Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - on the side of the old dock at about 8:45pm
Recorded by: J. Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - 1 large one in the back of the old canoe rental bldg., 1 on the dock at the old canoe area, 2 spiderlings on the dock by the visitor center: 1 had an egg sac: I did not realize how young they start.
Recorded by: J. Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - 1 large one in the back of the old canoe rental bldg., 1 on the dock at the old canoe area, 2 spiderlings on the dock by the visitor center: 1 had an egg sac: I did not realize how young they start.
Recorded by: J. Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - by boat dock at old canoe area
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Stokes Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: J. Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - 1 shed skin at the picnic shelter; 2 spideres around the dock below the visitor center
Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Graham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: K. Long
Rockingham Co.
Comment: MARI
Recorded by: J. Anderson
Ashe Co.
Comment: NERI - Wagoner Access
Recorded by: Jane Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - on a rock on the NE side of Millpond Bridge
Recorded by: K. Bischof
Beaufort Co.
Comment: GOCR - Obs. along Ivey Gut Loop. @ -76.923158, 35.475306
Recorded by: Jane Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - in the storage area between bathrooms at the picnic area
Recorded by: Jane Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - on the wall inside the storage area b/t the bathrooms at the picnic area
Recorded by: Jane Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - on the garage door to the room w/ life vest & paddles at the visitor center
Recorded by: K. Bischof
Beaufort Co.
Comment: GOCR - Obs. Ranger 2's residence.
Recorded by: J.Williams
Vance Co.
Comment: KELA
Recorded by: J.Williams
Vance Co.
Comment: KELA
Recorded by: Jane Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - It was found under the new bridge at visitor center. A shed tenebrosus skin was also found in one of the out buildings behind the shop.
Recorded by: T. Nergart, T. Vass.
Rockingham Co.
Comment: HARI
Recorded by: E. Corey
Wake Co.
Comment: WIUM - Found under log near semipermanent pond off of Crabtree Creek
Recorded by: Jane Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - On box in Picnic bathroom supply area. Id'ed by Eric R. Eaton
Recorded by: Steve Hall
Beaufort Co.
Comment: Observed while bait sampling for moths
Recorded by: Steve Hall
Orange Co.
Comment: