Naphrys pulex Jumping Spider

Description:

Pulex is Latin for "flea", which appropriately fits this very small (5.5mm or less) spider in the Family Salticidae (Jumping Spiders). I was unable to find a common name as it appears that this spider is referred to by its scientific name. The name "Naphrysis" a contraction of "North American Euophrys".

Habitat:

This is the most widely-distributed Naphrys in eastern North America, found from the East Coast to wooded areas in the tall grass prairies west of the Mississippi River. N. pulex can be very common in mesic hardwood forests, at or near the ground in leaf litter, on rocky outcrops, on bark, or on buildings. This one was observed on the outside of my house near a hardwood forest in Edgefield County, SC.

Notes:

This one was identified on BugGuide.net by Chad Heins. The BugGuide reference is a link to a picture and identification of this spotting on BugGuide.