The
Water Spider, (Argyroneta aquatica), lives underwater, where it builds a
bell-shaped home of silk and fills this structure with air that it carries
down from the surface. It is common in ponds and lakes of temperate Europe
and Asia.
In Australia, one type of Water spider frequents fresh or
brackish water, running across the surface, feeding on floating insects. If
they break the surface and fall in, air trapped in the hairs on the abdomen
allows them to breathe underwater.
 The female makes a "nursery" shelter for her egg
sac. In the picture, a female water spider of the family Argyronetidae tends
its egg cocoon while underwater in a freshwater pond. Water spiders use silk
to house their eggs while underwater.
The Giant Water Spider (Megadolomedes australianus)
when grown to its full size is about the size of 50 cent piece. Its leg
diameter can be from that of a pin to a matchstick. It has as mottled
dark abdomen and its head has as silver or dark gold
border.
Its habitat is on creek banks and streams and it hunts on water.
It is most commonly found in summer and there are many species
Australia-wide.
It builds no web as it is a rover but the female builds a nursery
retreat for her egg sac. If bitten, you will experience mild local pain.
Giant
Water Spider information and picture used from Queensland Museum site.
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