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Image Credit: Pam H. from Franklin, TN
The tiny and hairy Bold Jumping Spider has a lot of audacity and isn't afraid to eat creatures much larger than itself.
As a member of the Salticidae family, this small jumping spider has the ability to leap more than 4 times its own body length. The rapid-fire pouncing allows it to ambush insect prey that it has stalked. It also enables the spider to have a surprise escape from possible predators. Because they are so difficult to catch, it is unlikely observers will ever get bitten by one. They can and will bite, but their venom is not lethal and may only cause a stinging sensation.
Bold Jumping Spiders have strong colors as well as behavior. The black spider has a white line crossing the upper part of its abdomen. Two bright, white dots are closer to the rear. Pedipalps and legs have white hairy patches on them. This ubiquitous spider can be found in virtually any habitat, including homes, offices, and cars. They are wandering hunters and do not spin webs. To catch most insects, they are most active in the daytime when they can see their prey. Like other Jumping Spiders, Bold Jumpers create a small retreat for themselves to rest in that is lined in spider silk. This is also where they will take their catch and consume it.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Arachnida
Order:Araneae
Family:Salticidae
Genus:Phidippus
Species:audax
Identifying Information
Scientific Name: Phidippus audax
Other Name(s): Daring Jumping Spider, Bold Jumper
Category:
Spider
Size (Adult; Length): 6mm to 15mm (0.23in to 0.59in)
Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed above as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.
Spider Anatomy
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Legs: Spiders have four pairs of legs and these are attached to the cephalothorax.
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Pedipalps: Small appendages near the mouth used as taste and smell organs.
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Cephalothorax: Contains eyes, head, mouthparts, and legs.
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Abdomen: Contains various organs related to digestion, reproduction, and web-making.
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Spinnerets: Used in the production of spider silk for fashioning webs or catching prey.
NOTE: Unlike insects, spiders have both an endoskeleton (internal) and exoskeleton (external).
Colors: black, white, green,gray
