Nurseryweb spider
Photo by Steve Reekie
Dolomedes minor (Koch)
Order: Araneae
Family: Pisauridae
Size range
- Medium to large–sized spider. Body length about 18 mm
Distribution
- Widespread in New Zealand, often in open scrubby areas
Life History
- Builds a web on shrubs to protect its young
- The female sits on the web to guard the nursery at night
- During the day she stays nearby until the young disperse
- Catches prey on the run
