Species Phidippus audax - Bold Jumper

Daring Jumping Spider

See the World Spider Catalog.

Phidippus audax (Hentz, 1845)

Latin verb audere = to dare, to act boldly

4 - 15mm Male (1)

4 - 18mm Female (1)

Typical

Palp

Epigynum

Three No Taxon categories:

1) Typical: The majority of P. audax specimens are black with three white spots. Note the iridescent scales and flat (without gloss) black patches on the abdomen. These markings help distinguish P. audax from similar species such as P. regius.

P. audax compared to P. regius

2) Bryantae: I am not sure of what the bryantae form of P. audax looked like originally, but it is my understanding that it's very similiar to this specimen from TN. The white and orange specimens from north FL are probably the most highly evolved as far as pattern goes. There is little information concerning the color and pattern variations of P. audax throughout the United States.

3) Fused spots: This form is common in North Florida, but I do not know it's extent elsewhere. It is likely they occur in other states, but probably not so highly developed.

Keys for recognizing specimens of Phidippus regius, P. otiosus and P. audax are described in:

See list of prey here.

See more variations here

P. regius

See references listed under the genus here.