water spider

2 definitions found

water spider - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Water mite \Wa"ter mite`\ (Zool.)
     Any of numerous species of aquatic mites belonging to
     Hydrachna and allied genera of the family Hydrachnidae,
     usually having the legs fringed and adapted for swimming.
     They are often red or red and black in color, and while young
     are parasites of fresh-water insects and mussels. Called also
     water tick, and water spider.
     [1913 Webster]
     [1913 Webster]

  Water spider \Wa"ter spi"der\ (Zool.)
     (a) An aquatic European spider (Argyoneta aquatica) which
         constructs its web beneath the surface of the water on
         water plants. It lives in a bell-shaped structure of
         silk, open beneath like a diving bell, and filled with
         air which the spider carries down in the form of small
         bubbles attached one at a time to the spinnerets and hind
         feet. Called also diving spider.
     (b) A water mite.
     (c) Any spider that habitually lives on or about the water,
         especially the large American species (Dolomedes   lanceolatus
         ) which runs rapidly on the surface of water;
         -- called also raft spider.
         [1913 Webster]