Home / Jumping Spiders / Brilliant Jumping Spider (Phidippus clarus)

Brilliant Jumping Spider (Phidippus clarus)

The brilliant jumping spider is a member of the family of jumping spiders. It resides in North America and is one of the 60 spiders found in the genus Phidippus.

Scientific Classification

Brilliant Jumping Spider

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: Male: 0.32 cm (0.126 in) Female: 0.4 cm (0.159 in)

Color: This spider has two distinct morphs – a dark reddish-brown or a yellowish-brown with dark markings.

Other Characteristic Features: The carapaces of these spiders are rectangular.

Eggs

The egg sacs are made of thick silk. A female brilliant jumping spider lays well over 100 eggs per sac after mating, with an average of 135. Most bear only one clutch, though some may lay more.

Spiderlings

After 24–26 days, the spiderlings emerge but continue to mature in the cocoon. The first molt takes place 24–28 days once they shed their membranes. 2-3 days later, the spiderlings become active. While not hunting immediately, they spend several hours moving about doing random things before returning to cover. Around 10% build their separate retreats during this period of activity, while the rest do so only after feeding.  After the spiderlings leave the nest, the mothers usually die in a few days.

The Web

Like other jumping spiders, they are not known to construct elaborate webs. However, webs play an important role in the mating process, as the male will spin a small web to deposit a little sperm. This sperm is then collected by the male which is used to impregnate potential mates.

Is the Brilliant Jumping Spider Venomous

The venom of these spiders is not very deadly, with their bites leaving a temporary swelling at worst.

Phidippus clarus

Quick Facts

Lifespan 1-2 years
Distribution Eastern North America
Habitat Flowers
Common Predators Parasitoid wasps like Aporinellus completes and nematodes
Diet Insects, other spiders

Did You Know

  • Baltic-German arachnologist Eugen von Keyserling first described this species in 1884.
  • An experiment was conducted to see how many fruit flies several brilliant jumping spiders could eat in a four-hour session. On average, individual specimens took 17 flies, with the maximum being a very high 41.

Source: 4.bp.blogspot.com, content.eol.org

The brilliant jumping spider is a member of the family of jumping spiders. It resides in North America and is one of the 60 spiders found in the genus Phidippus.

Brilliant Jumping Spider

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: Male: 0.32 cm (0.126 in) Female: 0.4 cm (0.159 in)

Color: This spider has two distinct morphs – a dark reddish-brown or a yellowish-brown with dark markings.

Other Characteristic Features: The carapaces of these spiders are rectangular.

Eggs

The egg sacs are made of thick silk. A female brilliant jumping spider lays well over 100 eggs per sac after mating, with an average of 135. Most bear only one clutch, though some may lay more.

Spiderlings

After 24–26 days, the spiderlings emerge but continue to mature in the cocoon. The first molt takes place 24–28 days once they shed their membranes. 2-3 days later, the spiderlings become active. While not hunting immediately, they spend several hours moving about doing random things before returning to cover. Around 10% build their separate retreats during this period of activity, while the rest do so only after feeding.  After the spiderlings leave the nest, the mothers usually die in a few days.

The Web

Like other jumping spiders, they are not known to construct elaborate webs. However, webs play an important role in the mating process, as the male will spin a small web to deposit a little sperm. This sperm is then collected by the male which is used to impregnate potential mates.

Is the Brilliant Jumping Spider Venomous

The venom of these spiders is not very deadly, with their bites leaving a temporary swelling at worst.

Phidippus clarus

Quick Facts

Lifespan 1-2 years
Distribution Eastern North America
Habitat Flowers
Common Predators Parasitoid wasps like Aporinellus completes and nematodes
Diet Insects, other spiders

Did You Know

  • Baltic-German arachnologist Eugen von Keyserling first described this species in 1884.
  • An experiment was conducted to see how many fruit flies several brilliant jumping spiders could eat in a four-hour session. On average, individual specimens took 17 flies, with the maximum being a very high 41.

Source: 4.bp.blogspot.com, content.eol.org

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