Attulus floricola

Distinguished from similar Attulus species by combination of habitat preference (flower heads in wetlands), body size, and coloration patterns. Females identifiable by four prominent white spots along sides of dark abdomen. Males distinguished by metallic luster on head region and specific white hair patterns: transverse stripes at front of anterior eye row and three longitudinal stripes on posterior eye row. External female genitalia distinctly wider than long with median septum; long curved copulatory ducts; egg-shaped spermathecae with small accessory spermathecae. Previously confused with North American Attulus distinguendus and related species; molecular and morphological studies confirmed conspecificity of transcontinental populations.

Small jumping spider with distinct sexual dimorphism. Females measure approximately 5.8 mm in body length; cephalothorax black to brown with slightly reddish and white hairs, middle area white, eye area pale yellowish-brown. Opisthosoma black covered with white long hairs; dorsal surface with grayish-black fine hairs and four relatively large white spots along sides; ventral surface pale grayish-brown. Legs brown with black annulations. Males smaller, approximately 4.5 mm; cephalothorax elliptical, longer than wide, blackish-brown with dense golden-brown fine hairs and raised carapace. Head region deep blackish-brown with metallic luster, with white hairs forming transverse stripes at front edge of anterior eye row and three longitudinal white stripes near sides and rear of posterior eye row. Opisthosoma blackish-brown, egg-shaped with pointed rear end and central ridge. Legs reddish-brown with golden-brown fine hairs interspersed with sparse black long hairs and white short hairs.

Wetland habitats including bogs, marshes, fens, and meadows. Specifically associated with flower heads and upper vegetation of plants such as Eriophorum vaginatum (cottongrass) and similar species. Occasionally constructs cocoons on these plant structures.

Holarctic distribution: Europe (British Isles and Scandinavia south to Mediterranean), Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), Kazakhstan, Central Asia, China, Japan, Canada, and United States.

Active March to September in Britain; presumably similar seasonality across temperate range with activity during warmer months.

Reproduction involves construction of cocoons on flower heads and vegetation. External female genitalia morphology described: distinctly wider than long with median septum, long curved copulatory ducts, egg-shaped spermathecae with small accessory spermathecae. Detailed life cycle stages not documented.

Constructs cocoons on flower heads and upper parts of host plants. Jumping locomotion typical of family Salticidae.

Predator in wetland ecosystems; specific prey relationships not documented.

Subject of taxonomic research regarding transcontinental population relationships. Indicator species for wetland habitat quality in some regions.

• Attulus distinguendusFormerly confused due to similar size and habitat preferences; distinguished by specific morphological details and geographic distribution (A. distinguendus restricted to specific brownfield sites in UK with only two known localities)
• Attulus palustris/Attulus morosusFormerly recognized as separate North American species or subspecies; synonymized with A. floricola in 2020 based on morphological and molecular evidence

• jumping spider
• Salticidae
• Holarctic
• wetland
• flower-dwelling
• bog
• marsh
• fen
• meadow

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
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