Dolomedes tenebrosus
The dark fishing spider, Dolomedes tenebrosus, is found in the United States and Canada. It usually lives on trees in wooded areas, earning it a reputation as a tree-dwelling spider, but it can wander into homes in wooded neighborhoods.
Size and color: Females are larger than males. Body length is about 1.5 to 2.6 cm for females and 0.7 to 1.3 cm for males. Leg span can reach about 5 to 9 cm. The body color ranges from pale to dark brown with chevron markings, and the legs have lighter stripes and brown/black banding.
Reproduction: During mating, the female may eat the male. This self-sacrificing behavior can help more of her future offspring survive.
Bite risk: The spider can bite people, but it usually runs away at the slightest movement. A bite is typically no worse than a bee or wasp sting, though people very sensitive to venom may react more strongly.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 19:45 (CET).