Insect Order
ARANEAE (SPIDERS)
Araneae, comprising spiders, are one of the most intimidating orders of insects to the casual observer. This predatory group is made up of roughly 3,400 species in the United States and Canada. Some are webspinners while others are not, and some are completely harmless (and beneficial) while others are not. Classic examples of spiders include garden-loving Orb Weavers, the common House Spider, the identifiable Black Widow, the mighty Wolf Spider, and the venomous Brown Recluse. Eight legs typically differentiate Araneae insects from other orders.
Taxonomy
Other Names: "Fishing Spider"
The Taxonomic Breakdown is the scientific way to categorize a partocular insect species from its largest group (Animalia) to its smallest (variable). The Genus and Species categorizations taken together make up the species' scientific name shown above, in this case Dolomedes vittatus.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Family: Pisauridae
Genus: Dolomedes
Species: vittatus
Characteristics
Outdoors: Typically found across the great outdoors.
Round: Has a noticeably round or rounded body shape.
Eight-Legged: Eight legs are common to this insect.
Small / Tiny: Noticeably small to the naked eye.
Waterborne: Is commonnly found near water or water sources.
Description
The Banded Fishing Spider is also known by these other names:
Fishing Spider
The Banded Fishing Spider has been identified by site users by the following descriptors:
large   big   small   brown   black   pattern   eight-legged   ground   outdoors   woods   water   hairy   fuzzy   gray   grey
Sighting Guide
The general likelihood of encountering this insect based on a given month of the year in the state of Tennessee. Generally, the best sighting months are June through August with peak occurring in July.
Size
Below is a representation of the 'smallest-small' and 'largest-large' sizes commonly associated with the Banded Fishing Spider. Due to monitor differences, sizes may not be exact on your particular screen. Conversions to millimeters are provided for convenience.
Lowest-Low:
0.47 inches
(12 mm)
Highest-High:
2.95 inches
(75 mm)
Identifying Colors
Below you will find the colors most commonly associated with the Banded Fishing Spider. Both Primary and Secondary colors are represented in the showcase. Due to monitor differences, colors may not be exact representations.
Tennessee County Reach
The Banded Fishing Spider can be found in the following Tennessee counties:
Anderson; Bedford; Benton; Bledsoe; Blount; Bradley; Campbell; Cannon; Carroll; Carter; Cheatham; Chester; Claiborne; Clay; Cocke; Coffee; Crockett; Cumberland; Davidson; De Kalb; Decatur; Dickson; Dyer; Fayette; Fentress; Franklin; Gibson; Giles; Grainger; Greene; Grundy; Hamblen; Hamilton; Hancock; Hardeman; Hardin; Hawkins; Haywood; Henderson; Henry; Hickman; Houston; Humphreys; Jackson; Jefferson; Johnson; Knox; Lake; Lauderdale; Lawrence; Lewis; Lincoln; Loudon; Macon; Madison; Marion; Marshall; Maury; McMinn; McNairy; Meigs; Monroe; Montgomery; Moore; Morgan; Obion; Overton; Perry; Pickett; Polk; Putnam; Rhea; Roane; Robertson; Rutherford; Scott; Sequatchie; Sevier; Shelby; Smith; Stewart; Sullivan; Sumner; Tipton; Trousdale; Unicoi; Union; Van Buren; Warren; Washington; Wayne; Weakley; White; Williamson; Wilson
Banded Fishing Spider Picture (1)
1 of 1
Image of an adult Banded Fishing Spider at rest.; Credit: Alex B. of Kentucky.
This image is original to
www.InsectIdentification.org; Used with Permission.