Phidippus californicus is a member of the family of jumping spiders. They are found in North America and are often found in the same environment as other jumping spiders like Phidippus apacheanus and Phidippus octopunctatus.
Size: Male: 0.7-1.1 cm (0.27-0.43 in) Female: 1.2 cm (0.47 in)
Color: Their bodies and limbs are black, with bluish-green mouthparts and a bright red abdomen with a black stripe running through its middle. There are two tiny white spots between the red and black parts of the abdomen.
Other Characteristic Features: They mimic mutilid wasps as a form of aposematism, deterring predators from eating them.
Female spiders lay 2-3 successive batches of eggs, with each consecutive clutch containing fewer eggs. Around 40 spiderlings emerge from the first, 30 from the second, and very few from the third batch of eggs.
Spiderlings are brownish-gray with a red abdomen covered with various markings. They hatch after 3 weeks and become self-sufficient after the first molt takes two weeks.
Phidippus californicus do not use webbing for hunting their prey, instead pouncing when the opportune moment arises.
A bite from this spider isn’t deadly, causing only mild swelling and redness.
| Lifespan | 1-2 years |
| Distribution | The southwestern United States (Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah) and northern Mexico (Baja California peninsula and Sonora) |
| Habitat | Bushes on thin, stony soils including rabbitbrush, sagebrush, and the Four-winged saltbrush |
| Diet | Insects like fruit flies and other spiders |
Image Source: bugguide.net
Phidippus californicus is a member of the family of jumping spiders. They are found in North America and are often found in the same environment as other jumping spiders like Phidippus apacheanus and Phidippus octopunctatus.
Size: Male: 0.7-1.1 cm (0.27-0.43 in) Female: 1.2 cm (0.47 in)
Color: Their bodies and limbs are black, with bluish-green mouthparts and a bright red abdomen with a black stripe running through its middle. There are two tiny white spots between the red and black parts of the abdomen.
Other Characteristic Features: They mimic mutilid wasps as a form of aposematism, deterring predators from eating them.
Female spiders lay 2-3 successive batches of eggs, with each consecutive clutch containing fewer eggs. Around 40 spiderlings emerge from the first, 30 from the second, and very few from the third batch of eggs.
Spiderlings are brownish-gray with a red abdomen covered with various markings. They hatch after 3 weeks and become self-sufficient after the first molt takes two weeks.
Phidippus californicus do not use webbing for hunting their prey, instead pouncing when the opportune moment arises.
A bite from this spider isn’t deadly, causing only mild swelling and redness.
| Lifespan | 1-2 years |
| Distribution | The southwestern United States (Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah) and northern Mexico (Baja California peninsula and Sonora) |
| Habitat | Bushes on thin, stony soils including rabbitbrush, sagebrush, and the Four-winged saltbrush |
| Diet | Insects like fruit flies and other spiders |
Image Source: bugguide.net
Roy Williams on May 17, 2022.
Dr. Watuwa James
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