#Salticidae

[apsciencebydan]

Day 19 of my 2024 favorites: Habronattus alachua courtship!

H. alachua is a lovely and rarely-seen species here in Florida, and they're always a treat. Spotted the red-faced male first, who was prancing for a female I noticed shortly after. Got to watch his dance, though the lass wasn't into it. ♥️

[humblegrub]

if you like lego + jumping spiders, you should vote on this user created lego product idea! if it gets 10k votes it has the chance to become a real set 🕷️🕷️🕷️

VOTE NOW!!!

[artifacts-and-arthropods]

Brenthia Moths: these moths can mimic the appearance and mannerisms of a jumping spider so convincingly that actual jumping spiders will sometimes attempt to court them

The markings, posture, and movements of a Brenthia moth (genus Brenthia, also known as a metalmark moth) all contribute to its disguise; the moths move around in short, jerky motions that mimic the movements of a jumping spider, and their hindwings are covered in black-and-white bands that strongly resemble the tucked-in legs of a salticiid spider, especially when the moth displays its unique wing position. The disguise serves as a defensive strategy, enabling the moth to avoid being preyed upon by actual jumping spiders.

In some cases, that disguise may work a little too well, as jumping spiders may actually mistake the moth for a potential mate and then attempt to engage it in a courtship/mating dance (which must be a pretty awkward and bizarre experience for the moth, tbh).

The resemblance between a Brenthia moth and a jumping spider may not seem terribly convincing to us, as human beings, but as this article explains:

When discussing animals mimicking their predator, it is important to remember that we humans are not the target audience. This means that the imitator may not look too convincing in its mimicry to us, but still manages to trigger a desired response from said predator.

Jumping spiders have also been known to respond to Brenthia moths by exhibiting a territorial display, which is yet another behavior that the spiders generally reserve for other spiders.

This study expands on the adaptive benefits of the moth's disguise:

In controlled trials, Brenthia had higher survival rates than other similarly sized moths in the presence of jumping spiders and jumping spiders responded to Brenthia with territorial displays, indicating that Brenthia were sometimes mistaken for jumping spiders, and not recognized as prey.

The illustration below shows the basic/general resemblance between a Brenthia moth and a jumping spider:

Sources & More Info:

New Scientist: Moth's Disguise is so Good, Spiders Love it Instead of Eating it

Animal Behaviour: Sheep in Wolf's Clothing

Science: This Moth Could Pass for a Spider

PLOS ONE Journal: Metalmark Moths Mimic their Jumping Spider Predators

Gil Wizen: Jumping Spider Mimicry in Brenthia Moths

Moths of North Carolina: Brenthia pavonacella

[onenicebugperday]

South Asian jumping spider males, Chrysilla volupe, Salticidae

Photo 1 by acharya_mr, 2-6 by sunnyjosef, and 7 (for scale) by pcbose

[herpsandbirds]

Purple Gold Jumping Spider (Irura bidenticulata), males, family Salticidae, found in SE Asia

photographs by Artur Tomaszek Inglourious Reptiles

[hawkpartys]

SALTICUS PECKHAMAE BLAST

(all photographs by me)

[ratbugs]

it is once again

little guy time

[bowelfly]

inkwash bugs

[crevicedwelling]

fun USA 🇺🇸 fact: the flag’s design was based on the colors of this beautiful jumping spider! Habronattus americanus pair, coastal WA.

July 4th is a holiday dedicated to appreciating this tiny arachnid, with people setting off fireworks in emulation of its iridescence and graceful movement.

[esme-elora]

My jumping spider Pumpkin has gotten so big 😭 she's in her ninth instar now

She's grown to be such a sweet little lady and loves to help me work. Look how helpful she is!

[platycryptus]

adult male brilliant jumping spider (Phidippus clarus)

(Massachusetts, 7/6/24)

[apsciencebydan]

Day 20 of my 2024 favorites: Tiny Ms Attidops nickersoni!

At some point I want to share a series of fun creatures I've only seen once in spite of my nearly obsessive attempts to find them again. This shy little nugget found deep in a cypress swamp certainly qualifies. 🖤

[yupmabel]

jumping spiders can anything

ohhhhhhh ❤️ ouhhh

[sarahmackattack]

Alright jumping spiders of Queensland, it’s been real. Heading down to South Australia for the main event of this trip: giant Australian cuttlefish

[onenicebugperday]

Caterpillar jumping spider, Uroballus carlei, Salticidae

Found in Hong Kong

Photos 1-3 by pauldickson, 4-5 by charmianwoodhouse, 6 by lawrencehylton, 7-8 by portioid, and 9 (for scale) by lawrencehylton

[herpsandbirds]

Purple Gold Jumping Spider (Irura bidenticulata), male, family Salticidae, found in SE Asia

photographs by Inglourious Reptiles