Phidippus californicus

G.W. Peckham & E.G. Peckham, 1901

Phidippus californicus is a large jumping spider in the Salticidae, native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is notable for its striking coloration featuring a bright red or orange with black markings, and its apparent mimicry of velvet ants (Dasymutilla spp.). The inhabits sagebrush of the Great Basin Desert, where it hunts actively on shrubs during daylight hours. Both sexes share similar coloration, which is unusual for the Phidippus.

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.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Phidippus californicus: /ˈfɪdɪpəs kælɪˈfɔrnɪkəs/

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Identification

Distinguished from similar Phidippus by the combination of: (1) similar coloration in both sexes (most Phidippus have distinctly colored males and drab females), (2) blue-green (not metallic green or red) iridescent , (3) bright red/orange with black stripe and two small white spots posteriorly. P. apacheanus occurs sympatrically and is similar, but males of P. apacheanus are bright orange with black underside while P. californicus males are black underneath with red/orange abdomen. P. johnsoni females are similar in abdominal pattern but differ in other features. P. octopunctatus has silvery gray coloration in males, not red/orange. Definitive identification requires examination of genitalia under microscope.

Images

Habitat

Sagebrush of the Great Basin Desert. Found on bushes including sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus), and four-winged saltbush (Atriplex canescens). Prefers bushes on slopes with thin, stony soils. Avoids conifers and moist such as areas near irrigation ditches.

Distribution

Southwestern United States: California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, Utah. Northern Mexico: Baja California peninsula and Sonora.

Seasonality

males active early April to July; adult females active early May to July.

Diet

Active of insects. Observed capturing fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), house flies (Musca domestica), and . Will capture multiple prey items when hungry.

Life Cycle

Female lays two to three successive batches of , with each batch smaller than the previous (approximately 40, 30, and few or none). Spiderlings hatch after about three weeks, remain in nest until after first (about two weeks later), then disperse. Molting and breeding nests built under stones at base of bush.

Behavior

hunter active from mid-morning until dusk. Runs along branches or perches near branch tips, frequently stopping to scan surroundings by turning side to side. Builds retreat of flattened silk tube surrounded by guy-lines attached to twigs or leaves. Constructs molting and breeding nests with more silk under stones at base of bush. When hunting, seldom initiates pursuit of still prey; interrupts hunting when prey stops moving. Approaches prey rapidly at first, slowing within 5 cm, then crouches with body pressed to ground and legs drawn in. At about 1.5 cm, becomes still, attaches safety thread, and jumps. May take curved course to attack large prey from behind. Digestion time varies with hunger and prey size: males take ~30 minutes for fruit fly, 1 cm individuals <9 minutes; large females need ~1 hour for house fly.

Ecological Role

of insects in sagebrush . Apparent mimic of velvet ants (Dasymutilla spp.), which may provide protection from predators due to velvet ants' painful sting.

Human Relevance

Not considered dangerously venomous to humans. Bites possible if handled but spiders prefer to flee. May be encountered in outdoor settings in its range.

Similar Taxa

  • Phidippus apacheanusSympatric in same ; similar size and coloration. Males of P. apacheanus are bright orange with black underside, while P. californicus males are black underneath with red/orange . Both sexes of P. californicus share similar coloration, unlike P. apacheanus.
  • Phidippus johnsoniFemales have similar abdominal pattern with red color and black stripe, but differ in other morphological features and preferences.
  • Phidippus octopunctatusOccurs in similar western but males are silvery gray above with black underside, not red/orange.

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Sources and further reading