Subject: spider
Location: Enumclaw, WA. suburbs
May 6, 2016 12:13 am
Hello,
I live in a small town Enumclaw,Wa. We live near the downtown area so we are home is not too much into the country. Today I noticed an unusual spider I’ve never seen before. This spider was just under the size of a nickel and moved like a jumping spider. I am submitting a photo as I am very curious what it is.
Thanks for all your hard work.
Signature: Noah
I found it on my own, no worries guys.
It’s a red backed jumping spider.
Noah
Dear Noah,
Congratulations on self-identifying your Jumping Spider in the family Salticidae. We believe it is in the genus Phidippus, a group with many highly variable and similar looking species. The closest match we could find is on the Pest Control Canada site, though it is most certainly NOT a pest, and it is identified as a Johnson’s Jumper, Phidippus johnsoni. According to the University of British Columbia Biodiversity site, the species is relatively common in the area. There is also a similar looking image from Seattle on BugGuide. According to BugGuide, the Johnson’s Jumper is: “Mostly black with a red abdomen. The male’s abdomen is entirely red, whereas the female’s abdomen has a black mark down the center.” That means your individual is a female.