Water spiders
Dolomedes spp
dolose = craftily (the way it captures prey) medeis= magical (because it disappears under water)
spp = more than one species discussed here

 

How does it walk on water?
The enlarged drawing of the spider's leg shows hairs on the underside which trap air and help it to float.

This leg is from a bigger water spider called Megadolomedes.

What do you notice?

How does it breathe under water?

This spider traps air bubbles in the hair under its body and uses them to breathe.

It can stay under water to catch food or escape from enemies.

 


Ready to dive
A male water spider, about to dive below the surface to catch water beetles.
Collector J Forrest, 3 November 1990.		 Nursery webs

The female carries her eggs in a ball under her body. This helps to make sure they do not dry out.

When the eggs are ready to hatch, the mother hangs the eggsac on a plant, using masses of silk.

The baby spiders live in this silk nursery while the mother stays nearby.

The silk collects dew, fog or rain and so the spiderlings do not dry out.

During the wet season, the spiderlings leave home to look for their own pool to live in.

A water spider

 

References
Main, B Y. 1976. Spiders. Collins, Sydney.
Simon-Brunet, B. 1994. The silken web: A natural history of Australian spiders. Reed, Chatswood.
Comstock, J H. 1965. The spider book. Cornell University Press, New York.