Phidippus audax

Phidippus audax
Female in Columbia County, Florida
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Salticidae
Subfamily: Salticinae
Genus: Phidippus
Species:
P. audax
Binomial name
Phidippus audax
(Hentz, 1845)
Synonyms
Phidippus audax with a white spot on the back, found in Nashville, Tennessee

Phidippus audax, the Bold jumper or Daring jumping spider, is a common species of spider belonging to the genus Phidippus, a group of jumping spiders easily identified by their large eyes and their iridescent chelicerae.[1][2] Like all jumping spiders, they have excellent stereoscopic vision that aids them in stalking prey and facilitates visual communication with potential mates during courting.[1] Bold jumping spiders are native to North America and have been introduced to Hawaii, Nicobar Islands, Azores, and the Netherlands.[3][4][5] They are typically black with a distinct white triangle on their abdomen.[3]

Bold jumping spiders are solitary carnivores that use their highly specialized eyesight to actively hunt and stalk prey.[3] They prey on a variety of insects and non-insect terrestrial arthropods such as caterpillars, dragonflies, grasshoppers, and other spiders.[3][6][2] They are one of the most common spiders found in agricultural areas and have been studied to determine their impact on crop pest populations.[6] Unlike most spiders, bold jumpers do not build webs to catch prey.[6]

These spiders can be found in temperate climates in a variety of terrestrial habitats including grasslands, chaparrals, open woodlands, and agricultural fields.[3][4][2] The bold jumper is one of the most commonly occurring spider species within its range and is often found living in close proximity to humans.[2][7] Bites from Phidippus audax are rare but may occur if they feel threatened or are mishandled.[2][7]

  1. ^ a b Jackson, R., & Richman, D. (1992). A review of the ethology of jumping spiders Araneae Salticidae. Bulletin of the British Arachnological Society 9.http://peckhamia.com/hosted/Richman%20Jackson%201992%20A%20review%20of%20the%20ethology%20of%20jumping%20spiders.pdf
  2. ^ a b c d e Edwards, G. B. (1980). Taxonomy, ethology, and ecology of Phidippus (Araneae: Salticidae) in eastern North America. University of Florida.
  3. ^ a b c d e Hammond, George; Knight, Katie. "Phidippus audax". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Edwards, G.. (2004). "Revision of the Jumping Spiders of the Genus Phidippus (Araneae: Salticidae)" Occasional Papers of the Florida State Collection of Arthropods Volume 11. Collect. Arthropods. 11.https://www.fdacs.gov/ezs3download/download/25106/516022/Media/Files/Plant-Industry-Files/Edwards_2004_Revision_Phidippus.pdf
  5. ^ "NMBE - World Spider Catalog". wsc.nmbe.ch. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c Bailey, Charles L (January 28, 1969). LIFE HISTORY OF THE SPIDER, LIFE HISTORY OF PHIDIPPUS AUDAX (HENTZ), IN RELATION TO BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF GRAIN SORGHUM INSECTS (PDF) (Thesis). Oklahoma State University.
  7. ^ a b "Phidippus audax". escholarship.org. Retrieved December 4, 2022.