A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Cosmophasis micarioides
Bright multi coloured Jumping spider about 5-8mm long. On the dorsal surface an iridescent blue and green on the head with white, black and red abdomen and an iridescent purple on the posterior tip of the abdomen. Legs are striped black and gold with hints of blue. Pedipalps are yellow.
Found on broad leaves in a garden in Tabuil in Western Papua New Guinea. Very active and not shy.
This species is unknown to me although I am sure it is from the genus Cosmophasis. Any help with ID would be greatly appreciated. I realize that many species of jumping spider are waiting to be named in PNG but this did appear to be a reasonably common localized species so hoping someone will recognize it.
Thank you for your comment Polilla. Yes this individual is gorgeous and lucky for me, very accommodating.
Thank you so much for your input Neil. I think you are right and unless anyone has any objections I will change the spotting to Grainy Cosmophasis when I next get back on. Thanks also for pointing me to this spider resource link, it's awesome! Rob.
Triggs, I hope the ID suggestion helps. There is a lot of colour variation within the species, but shape and size seem to match your spotting. The reference link is thorough and informative. This species is known to occur in northern Australia, PNG, and the Solomon Islands. Awesome spotting :)
Spotted on Jul 23, 2016
Submitted on Aug 14, 2016
