Lyssomanes viridis

(Walckenaer, 1837)

magnolia green jumper, magnolia green jumping spider

Lyssomanes viridis, the magnolia green jumper, is a small jumping spider native to the southeastern United States. It is the type of the Lyssomanes, considered one of the earliest-evolved genera of jumping spiders. The species exhibits distinctive pale green coloration, elongated legs relative to body size, and specialized visual cognition . Males engage in visual agonistic displays using brightly colored and forelegs, while both sexes utilize visual, vibratory, and pheromonal signals for communication.

Lyssomanes viridis by (c) Zachary Dankowicz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Zachary Dankowicz. Used under a CC-BY license.Lyssomanes viridis by (c) skitterbug, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by skitterbug. Used under a CC-BY license.Lyssomanes viridis by (c) Zachary Dankowicz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Zachary Dankowicz. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Lyssomanes viridis: /ˌlɪsəˈmeɪniːz ˈvɪrɪdɪs/

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

Identification

Pale green coloration distinguishes it from most North American jumping spiders; longer legs and smaller jump distance relative to body size compared to typical salticids; colored crown (red, orange, yellow, or white) framing ; males with conspicuously colored and forelegs. Distinguished from similar green salticids by combination of translucent green body, crown scale coloration, and lyssomanine eye arrangement.

Images

Habitat

Broad-leaved trees and shrubs, particularly magnolia in warm, humid forests; also oak, maple, pine, and other trees; bushes lower to the ground in drier climates

Distribution

Southeastern United States: Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and District of Columbia; rarer sightings west to Colorado; particularly abundant in Florida citrus orchards

Seasonality

Active spring through summer; matings occur in spring (particularly May); laid as late as July; females guard eggs until hatching then die (August); sub- overwinter on trees, completing development early spring

Diet

Primarily mites, aphids, ants, and occasionally other spiders; ambushes prey due to relatively short jump distance, lunging from short distances

Life Cycle

laid on underside of leaves (25–70 per clutch, pale green); females guard eggs until hatching; sub- overwinter on trees; development completes in early spring; one annually with overlapping cohorts

Behavior

Males wave forelegs and approach each other during agonistic encounters; physical fights involve pressing and forelegs against opponent until one retreats; uses visual, vibratory, and pheromonal signals for identification and communication; constructs broad, sheet-like nests that assist in prey capture by temporarily immobilizing prey; lunges at prey from close range rather than typical salticid jumping pursuit

Ecological Role

of small arthropods inhabiting vegetation; contributes to regulation of mite, , and on trees and shrubs

Human Relevance

Subject of behavioral and sensory research due to primitive phylogenetic position within Salticidae; no documented agricultural or medical significance

Similar Taxa

  • Other Lyssomanes speciesShared characteristics including elongated legs, pale coloration, and lyssomanine ; L. viridis distinguished by specific crown coloration and geographic range
  • Typical salticid jumping spiders (e.g., Phidippus, Salticus)L. viridis has proportionally longer legs, smaller relative jump distance, and less hunting ; constructs sheet-like nests rather than typical salticid silk retreats
  • Green crab spiders (Thomisidae)Superficial color similarity; L. viridis distinguished by jumping spider arrangement, active hunting , and salticid body plan

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Sources and further reading