Feisty Spider - Phidippus audax

P. audax Sacramento

I found the same spider in Davis, CA - just south of Sacramento. I put a midge in a jar with it and it certainly proved its ability to jump for prey! Amazing. I'll let it go soon now that I know what it is and that it's not deadly to us.

… itsy0urth8ng, 5 June, 2006 - 10:52pm

P audax

Just the other day, my husband spied this guy hopping around our blinds in the living room. There was a dead smaller spider on the ground so I wasn't sure if this one kills other spiders?

We live in Los Angeles. I've never seen anything like this one. It was just so beautiful and cool... with the way it moved, that I video taped it.

We captured and released it on our front lawn.

… miamibunny, 12 September, 2006 - 8:40pm

It should be noted

this is an adult male.

… Jeff Hollenbeck, 22 October, 2005 - 5:04pm

Adult male

How are males and females distiguished? Is one element the chelicerae color?

… AnnaNmty, 23 May, 2006 - 9:33pm

Confirmed in Sacramento

Yes, i Have found approx 5 of these within the past year in my sacramento house. I have one in a jar for identification. It's a good thing they arnt too dangerous or i would be worried. Thx for identifying him! pics soon

… RC46, 23 May, 2006 - 4:51pm

Phidippus jumping spider

The black & white coloration and metallic green chelicerae (where fangs extend from) remind me of a male "Daring jumping spider," Phidippus audax. However, I was not aware that its range extends as far west as California. In any case, it is almost certainly a species of Phidippus jumping spider, which is harmless to humans.

… Richard Leung, 19 March, 2005 - 10:39pm

Thank you

Thanks for the information and the photo link. I had not looked into the jumping spiders category because I had not seen my spider jump or hop.

I am hand weeding a very large overgrown yard and am surprised at the variety of creatures I've come across, particularly the spiders. I've seen a dozen different types of spiders today alone--they are fascinating to watch.

… AnnaNmty, 19 March, 2005 - 11:06pm

They normally only jump when

They normally only jump when they have to, for prey capture, locomotion to an area they can't easily walk to, or for escape.

Aside from the specific identification marks that Richard gave, which I agree identifies this bug as P. audax, all Salticidae (jumping spiders) can be recognized by their unusually large anterior median eyes.

As a group, their vision is very acute and as a result they are quite fascinating to watch. Experts have stated their range of conspecific identification is around 6-10cm, and I've personally observed one specimen identify a travel target up to 1 meter away.

This is a terrific behavioral photo BTW!

… Jay Barnes, 20 March, 2005 - 11:04am