Paraphidippus

Paraphidippus genus of the jumping spider family has fourteen species in all as per the August 2019 records. They have a wide range extending throughout Central America, United States, Mexico, and parts of the Caribbean Islands.

Scientific Classification

• Family: Salticidae
• Genus: Paraphidippus

Spiders Belonging to this Genus

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: The spiders have an average size of 0.37 inches (0.95 cm).

Color: The color varies from one species to the other. For instance, the emerald jumping spider (Paraphidippus aurantius) has a black body with distinct patterns.

Other Characteristic Features: Some species has beautiful marking on the abdomen.

Eggs

The small round eggs remain confined in the silken case, closely guarded by the females.

Spiderlings

The juveniles resemble miniature adults, dispersing upon maturation.

The Web

They do not make webs but hunt down their prey. The emerald jumping spider (Paraphidippus aurantius) are said to be solitary hunters.

Are Spiders of the Paraphidippus Genus Venomous

Though they bite, it is not rendered harmful to humans.

Quick Facts

Distribution	Honduras, Mexico, USA, Costa Rica, and Greater Antilles
Habitat	Mostly forests
Diet	Flies, butterflies, and insects
Lifespan	Not known

Did You Know

• The English arachnologist, Frederick Octavius Pickard-Cambridge, described it in 1901.
• The name of the genus is an amalgamation of “Phidippus”  (a genus name of the jumping spider family) and “para” implying alongside.

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