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Daring jumping spider

Phidippus audax.

Description:

Phidippus audax is a common jumping spider of North America. It is commonly referred to as the daring jumping spider, or bold jumping spider. The average size of adults ranges from roughly 13 to 20 mm in length. These spiders are typically black with a pattern of spots and striped on their abdomen and legs. Often these spots are orange-tinted in juveniles, turning white as the spider matures. The daring jumping spider belongs to the genus Phidippus, a group of jumping spiders easily identified both by their relatively large size and their iridescent chelicerae. In the case of P. audax, these chelicerae are a bright, metallic green or blue. These spiders have been known to jump up to 50 times their own body length by suddenly increasing the blood pressure in the third or fourth pair of legs and the male may jump away during mating if the female approaches too quickly.

Habitat:

Semi rural.

Notes:

I took this before I had my macro converter so not as much detail as I would like. I think this is a juvenile P. audax but the chelicerae are not as green as usual so I am not 100%.

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4 Comments

KarenL
KarenL 12 years ago

Added to NWF mission for its incredible jumping ability - 50 times its height!

KarenL
KarenL 12 years ago

Added to new Spiders of Tennessee mission - http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/9135...

KarenL
KarenL 12 years ago

Thanks Cindy - the only other alternative would be a young male p. clarus but there would be more red on the abdomen so I think it is p. audax.

CindyBinghamKeiser
CindyBinghamKeiser 12 years ago

Hi Karen, I think it is P. audax. The first image looks like there's a hint of the teal chelicera. The lighting has to be just right for it to show up. I looked at my references and wasn't able to find an alternative for your area. Maybe someone else can suggest one.

KarenL
Spotted by
KarenL

Franklin, Tennessee, USA

Spotted on Oct 8, 2011
Submitted on Feb 19, 2012

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Reference

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