Salticidae

Blackwall, 1841

Jumping Spiders

Genus Guides

Salticidae, the jumping spider , is the largest family of spiders with over 600 and more than 5,800 described , representing approximately 13% of all spider species. Members are distinguished by exceptional vision, including a pair of enlarged that function like Galilean telescopes, and the ability to make precise jumps for hunting and navigation. They are active hunters that do not build webs to capture prey. Research has demonstrated cognitive abilities including spatial mapping, route planning, and long-distance sound detection via leg hairs () despite lacking ears.

Maevia inclemens by no rights reserved, uploaded by spidereyes. Used under a CC0 license.

Evarcha by (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda. Used under a CC-BY license.

Evarcha by (c) Wynand Uys, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Wynand Uys. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Salticidae: //sælˈtɪsɪˌdiː//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from other spider by the presence of two greatly enlarged, forward-facing that create an 'attentive' appearance; these eyes are fixed and function as compact telephoto lens systems. Four pairs of eyes total, with the remaining six eyes smaller and serving primarily as motion detectors. Body size typically under 1 cm, though some reach larger sizes (e.g., Phidippus octopunctatus males average 9.35 mm, females 10.19 mm). Many species exhibit bright coloration including reds, whites, and metallic green (jaws). Compact, often hairy body with robust legs adapted for jumping. Unlike web-building spiders, they lack the specialized structures for silk production used in prey capture.

Images

Habitat

Extremely diverse; occupies nearly all terrestrial including vegetation, leaf litter, soil surfaces, and human structures. Many associated with specific vegetation types: oak, juniper, various shrubs, prairies, grasslands, deserts, and open fields. Some species favor particular elevations (e.g., Phidippus asotus typically found between 5,000–7,000 feet). Five species documented in Brazil (Plexippus paykulli, Hasarius adansoni, Menemerus bivittatus, M. nigli, Thyene coccineovittata) are strongly associated with human dwellings, buildings, and urban environments, utilizing corners and crevices for shelter and -laying.

Distribution

distribution; present on all continents except Antarctica. In Brazil, 667 native plus five documented species with established . Specific documented ranges include: western North America (Phidippus octopunctatus from southeast Washington to California, east to Iowa, Missouri, and Texas, plus northern Mexico); southwestern and western United States through northern Utah and Colorado to extreme west Texas (Phidippus asotus). Exotic synanthropic species show wide human-mediated : Plexippus paykulli of African origin now present in Europe, Middle East, India, China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Pacific Islands, and the Americas.

Diet

Strictly ; active of small arthropods. Prey includes insects (honey bees, syrphid flies, butterflies, Yellow Dung Flies), other spiders, and pupae. Menemerus bivittatus has been documented exhibiting specialized 'snatching' , stealing ant pupae from ants of Camponotus crassus. Do not construct webs for prey capture; instead rely on vision-guided stalking and pouncing.

Host Associations

Camponotus crassus - prey source ( pupae stolen via 'snatching' by Menemerus bivittatus)documented for M. bivittatus specifically, not generalizable to entire

Behavior

, visually oriented hunters that actively stalk and pounce on prey rather than building capture webs. Capable of jumps 10–40 times body length; may use silken threads as anchors when descending vertical surfaces. Exceptional cognitive abilities documented: able to form spatial maps, plan circuitous detour routes to approach prey, and execute planned movements. Complex courtship rituals with visual displays that rival vertebrate examples. Long-distance sound detection recently discovered: can detect airborne sounds at distances of 3–5 meters or more via (sensory leg hairs), with peak sensitivity to frequencies matching wingbeats; respond to such sounds by freezing. Some exhibit territorial displays.

Ecological Role

Significant in terrestrial ; contribute to of insects and other small arthropods. in Brazil described as efficient predators capable of affecting arthropod under favorable conditions. Do not construct prey-capture webs, thus occupying a distinct foraging from web-building spiders.

Human Relevance

Generally harmless to humans; bites rare and occur only when spider is threatened or crushed, producing effects ranging from asymptomatic to small welts, less severe than stings. Valued as agents in gardens and agricultural settings. Popular subjects for scientific research due to advanced sensory and cognitive capabilities. Frequently encountered on Christmas trees and holiday greenery, sometimes inadvertently transported indoors; recommended to relocate sacs and spiders to outdoor vegetation rather than destroy. Subject of cultural significance including tinsel traditions linked to spider silk legends. Featured in public outreach and education (e.g., 'Eight-Legged Encounters' events).

Similar Taxa

Araneidae (orb-weaver spiders)Both are common spider , but Araneidae construct spiral orb webs for prey capture and have different arrangements without the enlarged eyes characteristic of Salticidae. Salticidae are active hunters that do not build prey-capture webs.

More Details

Sensory Biology

Possess the finest visual acuity of all arthropods. The function as Galilean telescopes with a corneal lens fixed to the and a second 'lens' at the end of a tube immediately in front of a tiered, boomerang-shaped . Six muscles per eye move the retinal tube in scanning movements similar to a raster scan, dramatically expanding the narrow field of acute vision. Recent research (2016) demonstrated that despite lacking ears and eardrums, jumping spiders can hear airborne sounds at distances of 3–5 meters via mechanosensory leg hairs (), with sensitivity tuned to detect wingbeats.

Cognitive Abilities

Among the most intelligent arthropods. Documented abilities include forming spatial maps of their environment, planning circuitous routes to sneak up on prey, and executing planned detours. These capabilities have been studied in spider-eating salticid that must approach dangerous prey while avoiding detection.