Scorpion Mimic Jumper(Female)

Description:

For its defence, this spider lifts its tail like a scorpion. Also while moving, it uses its front two legs to mimic as a scorpion's pincers..! Size 7-9 mm. Generally slender bodied with very prominent anterior legs holding in a posture like the pincers of a scorpion.In female in addition to the yellow patch as in male, a dull brown mid-dorsal patch is present. Female is brown in overall appearance. First pair of legs light brown in colour.

Habitat:

Common spiders on garden plants or on leaves of small trees and leaf spikes of coconut and arecanut plants. Very common during October to December.

Notes:

The spider likes to often run slowly over leaf surface holding the scorpion pincer –like anterior legs prominently. After running a while, it stops and ‘rests’ for some time and move again. If threatened, it runs fast or leaps very quickly to a considerable distance. Makes a thin, soft, almost transparent silk retreat and often females are encountered under it, guarding the small, spherical, white eggs and or young ones.