Nature Atlas

How Nature Works
Sign In
Text size
100%
Theme

Switch Atlas

Specy

Water Spider

Arachnids

The water spider, Argyroneta aquatica, is a species of spider native to freshwater ponds, lakes and slow streams across northern and central Europe and Asia, unique among spiders as the only species that spends nearly its entire life fully submerged underwater. It constructs a distinctive underwater retreat, a bell-shaped web anchored to aquatic plants and filled with air the spider carries down from the surface trapped in hairs on its body and abdomen, creating a diving-bell chamber where it eats, rests, mates and lays eggs.

Facts
Classification
Diet
Carnivore 1
System (Realm)
Terrestrial 2
System (Realm)
Freshwater 2
Relationship to People
Venomous or Dangerous to Humans 1
Relationship to People
Natural Pest Control 1
Scientific Name
Argyroneta aquatica 3
Conservation Status
Near Threatened 4
Comparison
CITES Appendix
Not Listed 1
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Araneae, Taxa
Source Wikidata: Water Spider

In Biome

Freshwater, Biomes
Source Diving bell spider (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Austria

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Belgium

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Denmark

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

France

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Japan

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Norway

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sweden

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sources
1. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Argyroneta aquatica
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
  • Primary Diet, Argyroneta aquatica
    Primary Diet carnivore carnivore
  • Conservation Status: CITES
    CITES No special status
  • Economic Importance for Humans: Positive: "The predatory actions of the water spider are he"
    The predatory actions of the water spider are helpful in reducing the number of mosquito larvae that survive to adulthood.
  • Economic Importance for Humans: Negative: "There are no known adverse effects of Argyroneta"
    There are no known adverse effects of Argyroneta aquatica on humans, except a painful bite.
View the Source
2. GBIF Species API
GBIF Species APIView the Source
3. Diving bell spider (Wikipedia)
  • Wikidata Q119195 (P225 taxon name)
  • In Biome: Freshwater, Wikipedia intro states: "own, although the hairs on the abdomen give it a dark grey, velvet-like appearance. It is native to freshwater habitats in Europe and Asia."
  • In Biome: Freshwater, Wikipedia intro: "own, although the hairs on the abdomen give it a dark grey, velvet-like appearance. It is native to freshwater habitats in Europe and Asia."
View the Source
4. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
International Union for Conservation of NatureView the Source
Wikidata: Water Spider
  • Wikidata Q119195, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
  • Child Taxon Of: Araneae, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
View the Source
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.