Water spider

Fact Box Species: Megadolomedes australianus (QM) (Note that some older books may refer to this spider as Dolomedes) Family: Pisauridae Body length: female: at least 25 mm male: at least 20 mm Habitat: This spider is most often seen on the surface of still-water ponds. It can run on water surfaces and lay eggs in underwater retreats involving large air bubbles. It may also be found above the water surface in an irregular web in green vegetation Toxicity: May cause mild illness in humans

Adult female Another female Another female

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: The water spider Dolomedes instabilis and wolf spiders such as Lycosa godeffroyi, although it is noteworthy that water spiders lack the pair of large eyes that characterise lycosids.