jumping spider
(Phidippus spp.)
Overview • Description • Distribution • Taxonomy
Overview |
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Phidippus is a North American genus of jumping spider. There are currently 76 described species worldwide, all of them in North America, and at least 8 species in Minnesota. Two species have been exported to Europe. A very common species, Phidippus audax, is an important predator of agricultural crop pests. |
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Description |
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Among the jumping spiders, Phidippus are medium-sized to very large. The entire body is covered with short black hairs (setae) and, to a lesser extent, longer black or gray hairs. The front part of the body (cephalothorax) is high, convex, and wide, widest in the middle of the thoracic part. The area defined by the eyes (ocular quadrangle) occupies about two-fifths of the cephalothorax and is distinctly wider behind than in front. In most species it is one-third wider than long. Many species have iridescent green mouth parts (chelicerae). The abdomen is egg-shaped. The pattern on the abdomen varies between species but is always a variation of a common type. Once the pattern is recognized, identification of the genus is almost certain. There are four pairs of light spots on a pair of dark longitudinal stripes. The second pair of spots is fused into a single large spot on most species. There are also four pairs of light lateral bands. The first band is usually joined with its opposite to form a continuous band around the front of the abdomen. The second band is usually a short oblique stripe. The third band is missing in most species, short in others. The fourth band is often attached to the third and/or fourth spots. The pattern may be partly of completely obscured, frequently so on males. The first and fourth pairs of legs are longer than the second and third pairs. The first pair is heavy and very hairy. On the front pair, the fifth leg segment (tibia) has more than four spines on the underside. |
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Distribution |
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| 9/8/2021 | ||||
Taxonomy |
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| Class | Arachnida (arachnids) | ||
Order |
Araneae (spiders) | ||
Suborder |
Araneomorphae (typical spiders) | ||
| Infraorder | Entelegynae (entelegyne spiders) | ||
Superfamily |
Salticoidea | ||
Family |
Salticidae (jumping spiders) | ||
Subfamily |
Salticinae | ||
Tribe |
Dendryphantini | ||
| Subtribe | Dendryphantina | ||
Subordinate Taxa |
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Synonyms |
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Common Names |
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This genus has no common name. The common name of the family Salticidae is jumping spiders, and it is used here for convenience. |
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Glossary
Cephalothorax
The front part of the body of various arthropods, composed of the head region and the thoracic area fused together. Eyes, legs, and antennae are attached to this part.
Chelicerae
The pair of stout mouthparts, corresponding to jaws, in arachnids and other arthropods in the subphylum Chelicerata.
Seta
A stiff, hair-like process on the outer surface of an organism. In Lepidoptera: A usually rigid bristle- or hair-like outgrowth used to sense touch. In mosses: The stalk supporting a spore-bearing capsule and supplying it with nutrients. Plural: setae.
Tibia
The fourth segment of an insect leg, after the femur and before the tarsus (foot). The fifth segment of a spider leg or palp.
Visitor Photos |
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Mike Poeppe |
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... after the rain today west of Houston, MN |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
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Visitor Videos |
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Other Videos |
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| Phidippus sp jumping spider building web (Salticidae) DiegoDCvids |
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About
Jul 27, 2016 Phidippus sp jumping spider building web (Salticidae) Biodiversidade, Biodiversity, Nature videos, Vídeos de Natureza, South America, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil original videos filmings, 3D modelings, arts animations created and directed by Diego da Cruz Pereira © DiegoDCvids |
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| Phidippus sp. Andrew Smith |
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About
Mar 20, 2016 |
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| Phidippus sp. (Jumping Spider) webbing egg sac! surgedtwice |
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About
May 10, 2013 |
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Visitor Sightings |
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Report a sighting of this arachnid. |
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| Mike Poeppe 8/7/2021 |
Location: Houston County, MN ... after the rain today west of Houston, MN |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Created: 9/8/2021
Last Updated: