Species Phidippus mystaceus

World Spider Catalog

Edwards (2003)(1) states this is a species complex, with approximately 12 members.

Phidippus mystaceus (Hentz)

Modern Latin: "like or having a moustache" from Greek mystax (μυσαξ)- "upper lip, moustache"

16 mm body length

Large, variable in color. Three sets of abdominal markings apparently distinctive.

Male

Female

Connecticut south to Florida and west to Colorado and Texas (absent from Great Lakes States)(2)

Map (3)

Phidippus otiosus

A previously-used trait of three carapace markings that had been thought to separate females of P. mystaceus from P. otiosus is now known to be unreliable. Consultation with G.B. Edwards has revealed the existence of a mystaceus-like form of P. otiosus that also has these three carapace markings. Identifications between these species have been updated to reflect this knowledge as well as to exclude the existence of a otiosus-like form of P. mystaceus that lacks those carapace markings. (Adult males are easily distinguished from one another.)

Phidippus otiosus

Phidippus mystaceus

Phidippus mystaceus - Proszynski (2001)