spotted white-cheeked jumping spider

Common

Prairies and old fields

Spotted white-cheeked jumping spider is a small jumping spider. It is widespread across the northern tier of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains and in southern Canada. It is common in Minnesota.

The male is ⅛″ (3.4.5 to 4.1 mm) long not including the legs. The female is a little larger, ⅛″ to 3 ⁄16″ (3.8 to 5.3 mm) long.

The plate covering the cephalothorax (carapace) is dark brown. There are four pairs of eyes arranged in what appears to be three rows occupying less than half of the carapace. The first row of four eyes, consisting of the anterior median eyes (AMEs) and anterior lateral eyes (ALEs), is curved backward. The AMEs are the middle and forward-most pair of these. They are by far the largest of all of the eyes and can be moved. The AMEs are about twice as large as the ALEs. The second row of two eyes are the posterior median eyes (PMEs). They are very small and are barely or not at all noticeable on most photos. The third row of eyes is the posterior lateral eyes (PLEs). The PLEs are set far back on the head and are only slightly wider apart than the first row of four eyes (AMEs and ALEs together). The PMEs and ALEs form a wide rectangle. Just behind each AME there is a pale stripe which, taken together, form a distinct V shape. A longitudinal band of pale scales on each side begins beside the ALE, passes below the AME and PME, and extends to the thorax. There is also a pale lower marginal band on each side of the carapace. On the side of the face there is a weak oblique pale band. On the female the carapace is densely covered with yellowish-white scales, and none of these bands are distinct. The plate on the face above the mouth (clypeus) is narrow and brown. The finger-like sensory organs attached to the front of the cephalothorax (pedipalps) are yellowish.

The abdomen is brown, is ringed with white bands, and has pale spots on the sides. In the middle of the upper (dorsal) side there are six pairs of pale spots. On the female there are also paired black spots.

The legs are short, oriented forward, and adapted for jumping. On the male they have alternating brown and pale areas but these do not form distinct bands. On the female they are entirely yellowish.

Spotted white-cheeked jumping spider is found mostly on short shrubs (less than 20″ tall) among grasses.

Sources: 24, 29, 30.

Conservation Biology of Special Concern Jumping Spiders (Araneae: Salticidae) of Minnesota; Ehmann, William J. Ehmann; 12/2/2002.

Common
A survey of jumping spiders in Minnesota was conducted in 1999 and 2001. 572 specimens were collected at 117 sites in 20 counties. With 97 specimens collected, spotted white-cheeked jumping spider was the second most common species.

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota