Subject: spider
Location: Shamona Creek side, Chester County, PA
March 7, 2017 4:02 pm
June 24, 2012. I was walking past a huge patch of lilies next to a creek when this little pugilist leaped out of the center of the flower. It stood there as if ready to fight to protect its home. The spider didn’t move while I readied my camera and took the picture. It then then did an amazing backward leap into the flower and was gone. I was fascinated by the ring on its body and the color inside it and the ring around its back (sac?). I didn’t see it in the ‘Spiders of Pennsylvania’ website
Thank you in advance
Signature: Sarah
Dear Sarah,
This is a Jumping Spider in the family Salticidae, a group that does not build webs to snare prey. Jumping Spiders are hunting spiders that pounce on their prey from a considerable distance with remarkable accuracy. They can also take down prey much larger than they. Though they are harmless to humans, Jumping Spiders are fearless, and they will follow a human with their acute eyesight if they feel threatened, but they do not back down. This lovely metallic individual appears to be a male because of his large pedipalps. We will attempt a species identification and get back to you if we are successful.
Update: December 29, 2018
Thanks to Barbara who believes this is an Emerald Jumping Spider
Thank you! Fascinating info about the Amazing Jumping Spider.
This looks like an adult male Paraphidippus aurantius, the emerald jumping spider. Unfortunately, I am not able to enlarge the photo for some reason.
Thanks so much for your comment Barbara. If you click on the image, it should enlarge in a new window.
How do I upload a photo of a spider? It is reddish brown with a white jack o’lantern face on back
You may submit images using the Ask WTB? link on our site.