Pussy Cat Jumping Spider

Description:

Widespread and common, body length of females possibly to 15 mm, males to 12 mm, both usually smaller. Known from Queensland and NSW but probably will be found Australia wide including islands. The male may be currently known as Opisthoncus mordax. They are quite variable in appearance and size, being mostly light brown with strong white markings and darker markings like a series of paisley teardrops running down the abdomen, resulting in the centre being a median white patterned lengthways figure. They have a patch of white hair on the trailing edge of the carapace. Legs 1 and 2 are stronger and longer than the others and have three pairs of ventral tibial giant spiny hairs (marcosetae) and two pairs on the underneath of the metatarsus. The legs appear banded. This spider is one of the most common jumpers on foliage in gardens and nearby bushland.