Home / Jumping Spiders / Portia Labiata

Portia Labiata

Portia labiata, is a species of the jumping spider belonging to the Portia genus, indigenous to different parts of Asia like Java, Malaysia, Sumatra, Singapore and Burma.

Portia Labiata

Scientific Classification

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: Females have a body length of 7 to 10 mm (0.27 to 0.39 inches) with a carapace of 2.8 to 3.8 mm (0.11 to 0.14 inches). The males, on the other hand, are 5 to 7.5mm long with carapaces of 2.4 to 3 mm (0.09 to 0.11 inches).

Color: Their body is orangish-brown in front and black at the back. The females have a black and mottled brown abdomen while that of the males are brown with light markings. Both of the sexes possess dark brown legs, with light markings seen on the femora. 

Other characteristics: Like most species of jumping spiders, they possess eight eyes with the two large ones in the center at the frontal position. They have the ability to grasp a small visual field at one point in time.  

Portia Labiata Size

Eggs

The eggs are mostly laid on dead leaves and covered with a silken sheet. In case of the unavailability of dead leaves, the females may weave a silk platform lay eggs on it and then cover them.

Spiderlings

The spiderlings stay with their mother for a short span after which they go on to be on their own.

The Web

The build webs to catch their preys which are sometimes even joined to that of other spiders spinning webs.

Does the Portia Labiata Bite and Are They Poisonous

Like most other spiders of the Portia genus they are venomous and may bite accidentally or when provoked, but it is non-toxic to mankind causing nothing much than pain in the area or redness. 

Quick Facts

Distribution India, Burma, Sri Lanka, Burma, southern China, Singapore, Malaysia, Sumatra, Philippines, and Java
Habitat Mostly in moist places
Lifespan Approximately 1.5 years
Diet Web spiders, other jumping spider species and insects.
Predators Frogs, birds as well as certain insects such as mantises and bugs

Did You Know

  • Females of this species are more indulged in capturing smaller preys than the bigger ones.
  • In the Phillipines, instead of preying ants, they are preyed upon by the latter.
  • In Adrian Tchaikovsky’s award-winning book, Children of Time, the Portia labiata has an important role to play.
  • Like most other species of the Portia genus, these spiders are also immensely intelligent, often implementing trial and error methods of catching their prey.

Image Credits: I.pinimg.com

Portia labiata, is a species of the jumping spider belonging to the Portia genus, indigenous to different parts of Asia like Java, Malaysia, Sumatra, Singapore and Burma.

Portia Labiata

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: Females have a body length of 7 to 10 mm (0.27 to 0.39 inches) with a carapace of 2.8 to 3.8 mm (0.11 to 0.14 inches). The males, on the other hand, are 5 to 7.5mm long with carapaces of 2.4 to 3 mm (0.09 to 0.11 inches).

Color: Their body is orangish-brown in front and black at the back. The females have a black and mottled brown abdomen while that of the males are brown with light markings. Both of the sexes possess dark brown legs, with light markings seen on the femora. 

Other characteristics: Like most species of jumping spiders, they possess eight eyes with the two large ones in the center at the frontal position. They have the ability to grasp a small visual field at one point in time.  

Portia Labiata Size

Eggs

The eggs are mostly laid on dead leaves and covered with a silken sheet. In case of the unavailability of dead leaves, the females may weave a silk platform lay eggs on it and then cover them.

Spiderlings

The spiderlings stay with their mother for a short span after which they go on to be on their own.

The Web

The build webs to catch their preys which are sometimes even joined to that of other spiders spinning webs.

Does the Portia Labiata Bite and Are They Poisonous

Like most other spiders of the Portia genus they are venomous and may bite accidentally or when provoked, but it is non-toxic to mankind causing nothing much than pain in the area or redness. 

Quick Facts

Distribution India, Burma, Sri Lanka, Burma, southern China, Singapore, Malaysia, Sumatra, Philippines, and Java
Habitat Mostly in moist places
Lifespan Approximately 1.5 years
Diet Web spiders, other jumping spider species and insects.
Predators Frogs, birds as well as certain insects such as mantises and bugs

Did You Know

  • Females of this species are more indulged in capturing smaller preys than the bigger ones.
  • In the Phillipines, instead of preying ants, they are preyed upon by the latter.
  • In Adrian Tchaikovsky’s award-winning book, Children of Time, the Portia labiata has an important role to play.
  • Like most other species of the Portia genus, these spiders are also immensely intelligent, often implementing trial and error methods of catching their prey.

Image Credits: I.pinimg.com

Leave a Reply