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Bold Jumping Spider

Phidippus audax

Description:

All black body except for two white spots on abdomen and lime-green fangs it also has white stripes on the joints of its legs.3/4 of an inch long.(I would be a little more accurate but I am terrified of spiders; despite this I can truly say this is a very beautiful spider). I know this is a jumping spider of some sort but I don't know the exact species because there are a lot.

Habitat:

North America

Notes:

I found the spider crawling around in my house so I captured him to the a few photos and then let him go. I also found what looks like a spider bite mark on my leg the other day but I doubt it was from this little guy unless maybe I tried to squish him while I was asleep.

1 Species ID Suggestions

Fyn Kynd
Fyn Kynd 10 years ago
Bold Jumping Spider
Phidippus audax Species Phidippus audax - Bold Jumper - BugGuide.Net


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3 Comments

ForestDragon
ForestDragon 10 years ago

Oh, I forgot to mention. Jumping spiders, like most other spiders, are not usually dangerous to humans. Most spiders are venomous, that is how they subdue their prey.

I have never been bitten by a jumping spider. I imagine if one were to feel trapped (say it was on you and you pressed down on it against your skin so it might think it was going to get crushed) it might bite in self defense. I have handled these guys pretty often. They usually want to flee or just hop around. They eat small arthropods.

If someone was allergic to spider venom and somehow got bitten then there might be a problem but generally these guys have no interest in humans. They are mighty little hunters of little things.

Hope this helps. :)

Fyn  Kynd
Fyn Kynd 10 years ago

Male. This species is not harmful to humans.
http://bugguide.net/node/view/3722
I would also suggest adding to this mission - http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/1916...

ForestDragon
ForestDragon 10 years ago

Nice find! This little spider is from Genus Phidippus. It is very likely Phidippus audax, also known as a Bold Jumper or Daring Jumping Spider. They are pretty common fairly brave as far as jumping spiders go (perhaps that is how they got their name, I'm not sure!). They are one of my favorites!

Here is a link. If you agree with the species you can update your spotting accordingly :) :
http://bugguide.net/node/view/2006
Good for you for being brave enough to get a good look and some pictures of this beauty!

Samantha Hicks
Spotted by
Samantha Hicks

Missouri, USA

Spotted on May 21, 2013
Submitted on May 21, 2013

Spotted for Mission

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