Arachnophobia

Over the summer I managed to photograph a fair number of interesting bugs. One of the most entertaining was a Fishing Spider (Dolomedes triton) that I spotted along the edge of a local lake.

 

 

Dolomedes have apparently been known to capture small fish; and they do venture underwater on occasion – but most of their time is spent on the surface hiding amongst shoreline vegetation waiting to pounce on any unsuspecting bugs that wander within range. In this case, the victim was a Water Boatman (Family: Corixidae) that was darting to the surface to replenish its air supply. The spider moved with lightning fast speed; and before I could blink, it had scurried out, plucked the Corixid from the water, and returned to its perch to feed.

 

Dolomedes triton feeding on a Corixid