Huntsman Spider or Fishing Spider?
August 26, 2009
Hello. I live in Charleston, SC, and noticed this spider crawling up the side of the house. Biggest spider that I have ever seen around here, hands down. At first, I thought it was a wolf spider, then thought it might be a Fishing Spider. Now wonder if its not a Huntsman Spider. Can you tell me for sure what it is? And is it aggressive? Poisonous? Thanks in advance.
freekoffhisleash
Charleston, SC
Fishing Spider
Dear freekoffhisleash,
Your spider is a Fishing Spider in the genus Dolomedes, most likely Dolomedes tenebrosus. You may compare your photo to the ones posted on BugGuide.
I like This
Why not Dolomedes albineus, an grayish colored argboreal species?
That is possible.
What’s possible? Is it a Poisonous spider?
It’s possible that we misidentified the species, but the genus is correct. Most all spiders have venom, but very few are dangerous. Fishing Spiders are not dangerous.
So what species is it? Also is it venomous to humans?
Genus Dolomedes but not certain of species. Fishing Spiders, like most other spiders, have venom, but it is not considered dangerous to humans.