This raft spider was photographed at RSPB Arne Nature Reserve near Wareham by a member of the Echo’s Dorset Camera Club.Â
This arachnoid enjoys a damp environment, varies in body length from 0.9 to 2cms, and is most commonly seen between May and August.
It lives around the edge of ponds and ditches, and on wet heaths and bogs. It can be identified through its chocolate-brown colouring and has a pale yellow stripe running down each side of its body.
The picture was taken by Nature Neil, who said it was an ‘exciting’ capture finding a specimen ‘in a nice position, like a head on position at the spider’s eye level.’
He said: “Most of my macro photography is done with the camera mounted on a tripod, which keeps the camera still, and avoids me having to bend into some awkward positions.
“Finding raft spiders is quite easy, as they can be quite abundant on vegetation around ponds.”
You can join the Echo’s Camera Club and share your own pictures here.
Raft spider photographed at Arne Nature Reserve (Image: Nature Neil)
Wildlife charity the Wildlife Trust says that raft spiders will swim underwater, often diving beneath the surface when threatened.
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A spokesman added: “Adults sit at the edge of the water, or on floating vegetation, with their front legs resting on the water’s surface in order to feel for the vibrations of potential prey.
“Using the surface tension of the water, they chase out on to the water to catch their prey, which will even include tadpoles or small fish.”
The much rarer fen raft spider is similar to the raft spider, but is only found in a few places in the UK, including several Suffolk Wildlife Trust nature reserves.
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