Phidippus otiosus

Classification

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

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Phidippus otiosus: //ˈfɪdɪpəs oʊˈtiːoʊsəs//

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

Images

Phidippus otiosus female by Timothy Gerla. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Female phidippus Otiosus by Andres moline. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Phidippus otiosus 9325 by David Hill. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Phidippus otiosus - Female - Oklahoma by Thomas Shahan 3. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Phidippus otiosus 9432 by David Hill. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Phidippus otiosus 7158 by David Hill. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Summary

Phidippus otiosus, or Canopy Jumping Spider, is a species of jumping spider native to southeastern North America. Notable for its iridescent chelicerae and distinctive coloration, it plays a significant role in its ecosystem. Rare forms have led to past misidentifications, shedding light on the importance of updated taxonomic understanding.

Physical Characteristics

Body length 8-12 mm (male), 12-18 mm (female); carapace dark brown with white hairs along the sides; abdomen brown above with distinctive orangish pattern; chelicerae iridescent, usually green but sometimes purple.

Identification Tips

Keys for recognizing specimens of Phidippus regius, P. otiosus, and P. audax are essential for identification since they have similar morphological features.

Habitat

Canopy of deciduous and mixed deciduous/pine forests; often found in areas with Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides) hanging from Live Oak (Quercus virginiana).

Distribution

Naturally occurs in the southeastern United States from Florida and Texas to North Carolina; also found in remote locations such as Sweden and Germany due to being exported with plants.

Life Cycle

Females position their egg sac under the bark of oak and pine trees, laying eggs from December to February in South Carolina, and from January to June in Florida. Egg sac can hold 19-150 eggs; spiderlings disperse between January and February and mature in the fall.

Evolution

Grouped with closely related species P. californicus, P. pius, and P. regius in the otiosus group.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

There was previously confusion about a mystaceus-like form of P. otiosus, which was incorrectly believed to be a separate species. It has since been clarified that all mystaceus-like forms are actually variations of P. otiosus.