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Comments & ID Thoughts
I am thinking this is a white-banded fishing spider, but I am not 100%.
- Submitted by:
- Submitted: Feb 4, 2020
- Photographed: Sep 1, 2019
- Spider: Dolomedes albineus (White-banded Fishing Spider)
- Location: Onalaska, Texas, United States
- Spotted Outdoors: High foliage (includes trees and tree trunks),Freshwater river, lake, stream,Forest
- Found in web?: No
- Attributes: Dorsal
Jul 15, 2023
Jul 15, 2023
Auburn, 
Yes, this is Dolomedes albineus. You captured the “white band” of the common name that’s across the face. I wonder if there’s been research into how they know which trees their markings match. This one has more black markings and fewer white than usual. Yet, it on a tree with dark crevices in the bark. The first pair of legs are even aligned with the groves in the bark. The D. albineus with round white dorsal markings tend to be photographed on trees with round white lichens. They are tree-based hunters. Dolomedes tenebrosus, Dolomedes script seems to prefer rocks near… Read more »
Thank you for the response with the excellent and detailed information! It was actually my six year old daughter at the time that spotted it, so good eyes on her!
You’re very welcome! I hope your daughter likes spiders. If she wants to find more Fishing Spider or Wolf Spiders, note the lower left photo. They have eye characteristics that amplify available light to direct it back into the eyes. The term is “eyeshine.” Like with some other nocturnal animals, bright light makes their eyes seem to glow. Deer, dogs, and cats are animals you may have seen this with. Someone said that Boy Scouts are taught to put the base of a flashlight against their foreheads and look toward the height of tree bases. The spiders’ eyes will glow.… Read more »