Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Dendryphantes vitis
Icius vitis
Metaphidippus vitis
Dendryphantes apachecus
Explanation of Names
vitis is Latin for "grapevine"
Range
Kansas south to Texas and west to California (both southern & northern).
Habitat
On shrubs and vines and in fields. Best know as a common resident in vineyards.
Food
Insects and smaller spiders. Said to like thrips and small flies, but not leafhoppers
Remarks
The body is covered in iridescent scales which flash either green or gold in strong light. This often doesn't show up well in photographs.
This iridescence has been explained as mimicking of certain beetles, but more recently it's been suggested that it may be for mimicking of water droplets.
Contributed by
Chuck Entz on 12 February, 2006 - 1:12am
Last updated 12 February, 2006 - 7:15am
