Bleg vandspinder
Donacochara speciosa
Bleg vandspinder (Donacochara speciosa) is a distinctive water spider species characterized by its iridescent carapace and elongated legs adapted for surface tension locomotion. This semi-aquatic arachnid plays a crucial role in controlling mosquito larvae and other aquatic insects in freshwater ecosystems.
19
Countries
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Jonathan Neumann, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Jonathan Neumann
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Arachnida
Order
Araneae
Family
Linyphiidae
Genus
Donacochara
Bleg vandspinder belongs to the family Linyphiidae, order Araneae, within the Arachnida class.
Species Profile
Bleg vandspinder (Donacochara speciosa) is a distinctive water spider species characterized by its iridescent carapace and elongated legs adapted for surface tension locomotion. This semi-aquatic arachnid plays a crucial role in controlling mosquito larvae and other aquatic insects in freshwater ecosystems. Adults display remarkable sexual dimorphism, with females reaching up to 12mm in body length compared to the smaller 8mm males.
Bleg vandspinder faces significant threats from habitat degradation and fragmentation due to agricultural expansion and urban development in its wetland environments. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns and water level fluctuations that affect the aquatic ecosystems this spider depends on for hunting and reproduction.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This semi-aquatic spider inhabits freshwater wetlands, pond margins, and slow-moving streams with dense emergent vegetation. It constructs webs near water surfaces among reeds, sedges, and other aquatic plants in lowland areas.
Threats
Habitat loss from agricultural conversion
Wetland drainage and water management
Climate change impacts on water systems
Pollution from agricultural runoff
Urban development and infrastructure
Found in 19 Countries
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Bleg vandspinder (Donacochara speciosa). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/bleg-vandspinder