Phidippus californicus

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Salticidae
Genus: Phidippus
Species: californicus

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Phidippus californicus: /ˈfɪdɪpəs kælɪˈfɔrnɪkəs/

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

Images

Phidippus, Arms Raised, Envenomed Fangs by Goflyairpig. Used under a Public domain license.

Distribution.phidippus.californicus.1 by User:Sarefo. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Phidippus californicus 504734 by Francisco Farriols Sarabia. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Phidippus, Dorsal and Anterior Views by Goflyairpig. Used under a Public domain license.

Phidippus californicus by emilychebul. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

Phidippus californicus is a species of jumping spider found mainly in the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. Notable for characteristics like blue-green chelicerae and bright red abdomens, it has a well-defined habitat in sagebrush communities and exhibits interesting hunting and courtship behaviors.

Physical Characteristics

Females can reach 12 mm body length, males 7 to 11 mm. Both sexes have blue-green iridescent chelicerae, a black cephalothorax and limbs, and a bright red abdomen with a median black stripe. Light diagonal bands and light transverse anterior bands can also be present. The abdomen can vary in color from red to orange or yellow, especially in older spiders.

Identification Tips

Adult males and females are similar in coloration, which is atypical for the Phidippus genus. Look for distinctive coloration and size patterns, along with the male's unique courtship behaviors.

Habitat

Found in the sagebrush community of the Great Basin Desert, prefers bushes with thin, stony soils and avoids conifers and moist habitats.

Distribution

Southwestern United States (California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, Utah) and northern Mexico (Baja California peninsula and Sonora).

Diet

Primarily feeds on small insects, often hunting fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) and house flies (Musca domestica).

Life Cycle

Spiderlings remain in the nest for about three weeks before their first molt; they become self-sufficient shortly thereafter.

Reproduction

Adult males are found from early April to July, while females are present from early May to July. Females lay two to three batches of eggs, with decreasing numbers in each batch (40, then 30, and fewer from the third).

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Often mistaken for mutillid wasps (velvet ants) due to its mimicking coloration and size, which can lead to the false belief that it is a dangerous insect.