Water spider

Fact Box Species: Megadolomedes australianus (QM) Family: Pisauridae Body length: female: at least 25 mm male: at least 20 mm Habitat: On the surface of still-water ponds; this spider can run on water surfaces and lay eggs in underwater retreats involving large air bubbles Toxicity: May cause mild illness in humans

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.