Species information
Scientific name: Dolomedes orion
Japanese name: オオハシリグモ
Chinese name: 大狡蛛
English name: Ryukyu fishing spider
Origin: Tokara Islands, Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, Okinawajima, Tokashikijima, Kumejima
Ecology and description
Ryukyu fishing spider is the largest hunting-type spider in Japan, and it hunts by the waterside without building a web. Ryukyu fishing spider lightly touches the water surface with its front legs to detect small fish, tadpoles, or aquatic insects for consumption.
Field photographs taken during our tours, with observation dates
During our 【Herping】 tour when visiting stream environments, we often encounter this spider species. They usually remain motionless at the water’s edge, making scenes of them catching prey very rare.
