Home / Jumping Spiders / Whitman’s Jumping Spider (Phidippus whitmani)

Whitman’s Jumping Spider (Phidippus whitmani)

Whitman’s jumping spider is a member of the family of jumping spiders. It was named after zoologist Charles Otis Whitman.

Scientific Classification

Whitman’s Jumping Spider

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: 1.07 cm (0.42 in)

Color: Sexual dimorphism exists in this spider species, as the male is brightly colored with a red body, a black band over the eyes, and white setae. The female, on the other hand, is a dull brown.

Other Characteristic Features: This spider resembles mutilid wasps, making them less palatable to predators.

Eggs

They build a white sac to keep their eggs protected, which the mother constantly guards.

Spiderlings

The spiderlings stay inside the sac for some time before finally venturing out and building their own retreat.

The Web

These spiders do not generate a lot of webbing; instead, using their keen eyesight for hunting their prey.

Is the Whitman’s Jumping Spider Venomous

The venom produced by these spiders is not deadly to humans. Their bite only has mild symptoms like redness and temporary swelling at best.

Phidippus whitmani

Quick Facts

Lifespan 1-2 years
Distribution Canada and the United States
Habitat Older, mixed hardwood forests
Diet Insects and other spiders

Did You Know

  • The married American taxonomist duo of George Williams Peckham and Elizabeth Maria Gifford Peckham first described this species in 1909.

Image Source: inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com, biolib.cz

Whitman’s jumping spider is a member of the family of jumping spiders. It was named after zoologist Charles Otis Whitman.

Whitman’s Jumping Spider

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: 1.07 cm (0.42 in)

Color: Sexual dimorphism exists in this spider species, as the male is brightly colored with a red body, a black band over the eyes, and white setae. The female, on the other hand, is a dull brown.

Other Characteristic Features: This spider resembles mutilid wasps, making them less palatable to predators.

Eggs

They build a white sac to keep their eggs protected, which the mother constantly guards.

Spiderlings

The spiderlings stay inside the sac for some time before finally venturing out and building their own retreat.

The Web

These spiders do not generate a lot of webbing; instead, using their keen eyesight for hunting their prey.

Is the Whitman’s Jumping Spider Venomous

The venom produced by these spiders is not deadly to humans. Their bite only has mild symptoms like redness and temporary swelling at best.

Phidippus whitmani

Quick Facts

Lifespan 1-2 years
Distribution Canada and the United States
Habitat Older, mixed hardwood forests
Diet Insects and other spiders

Did You Know

  • The married American taxonomist duo of George Williams Peckham and Elizabeth Maria Gifford Peckham first described this species in 1909.

Image Source: inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com, biolib.cz