Phidippus audax
Encyclopedia
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.
Like other jumping spiders, due to their large, forward-facing eyes, they have very good stereoscopic vision. This aids them when stalking prey, and allows some visual communication with others of their species, such as courting 'dances'.
Like most jumping spiders, P. audax tends to prefer relatively open areas to hunt in, as they actively seek and stalk prey and do not build webs. They do use webbing when laying eggs or to hide. They also use spider silk as a 'lifeline' when jumping for prey or evading predators.
They are common in fields and grasslands, but are frequently seen on fences, exterior walls, and gardens as well. Many jumping spiders seem to prefer flat vertical surfaces, likely due to the fact that it enables them to spot and chase down roaming insects with ease.
, most of the United States
and parts of northern Central America
, and has been introduced to Hawaii
and the Nicobar Islands
.
for the genus Phidippus. The species name is derived from the Latin
word audax meaning "daring, audacious".
is probably the most common biting spider in the United States, the main species being Phidippus audax
. Bites from a jumping spider are usually painful, itchy and cause redness and significant swelling.
Jumping spider
The jumping spider family contains more than 500 described genera and about 5,000 described species, making it the largest family of spiders with about 13% of all species. Jumping spiders have some of the best vision among invertebrates and use it in courtship, hunting and navigation...
of North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. 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
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Phidippus
Phidippus
Phidippus is a genus in the family Salticidae . Some of the largest jumping spiders inhabit this genus, and many species are characterized by their brilliant, iridescent green chelicerae. Phidippus is distributed almost exclusively in North America, with the exception of two exported species...
, a group of jumping spiders easily identified both by their relatively large size and their iridescent chelicerae
Chelicerae
The chelicerae are mouthparts of the Chelicerata, an arthropod subphylum that includes arachnids, Merostomata , and Pycnogonida . Chelicerae are pointed appendages which are used to grasp food, and are found in place of the chewing mandibles most other arthropods have...
. 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.
Like other jumping spiders, due to their large, forward-facing eyes, they have very good stereoscopic vision. This aids them when stalking prey, and allows some visual communication with others of their species, such as courting 'dances'.
Habitat
They are common in fields and grasslands, but are frequently seen on fences, exterior walls, and gardens as well. Many jumping spiders seem to prefer flat vertical surfaces, likely due to the fact that it enables them to spot and chase down roaming insects with ease.
Distribution
This species is common in southeastern CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, most of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and parts of northern Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
, and has been introduced to Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
and the Nicobar Islands
Nicobar Islands
The Nicobar Islands are an archipelagic island chain in the eastern Indian Ocean...
.
Name
P. audax is the type speciesType species
In biological nomenclature, a type species is both a concept and a practical system which is used in the classification and nomenclature of animals and plants. The value of a "type species" lies in the fact that it makes clear what is meant by a particular genus name. A type species is the species...
for the genus Phidippus. The species name is derived from the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
word audax meaning "daring, audacious".
Bites
The jumping spiderJumping spider
The jumping spider family contains more than 500 described genera and about 5,000 described species, making it the largest family of spiders with about 13% of all species. Jumping spiders have some of the best vision among invertebrates and use it in courtship, hunting and navigation...
is probably the most common biting spider in the United States, the main species being Phidippus audax
Phidippus audax
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....
. Bites from a jumping spider are usually painful, itchy and cause redness and significant swelling.
External links
- David Edwin Hill: Portrait of feeding female Phidippus audax — Video
- Daring Jumping Spider Reference quality diagnostic photos
- Diagnostic drawings
- Pictures of P. audax (free for noncommercial use)