#jumping spiders

[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

[ratbugs]

it is once again

little guy time

[gardeneticist]

I think one of my favourite jumping spiders is Opisthoncus necator just because its common name is just “The Murderer” for some reason, so if I ever go to look at it on iNat, I am greeted with this very accusatory title and what is essentially its mug shot

[entomologize]

Random fact: Although jumping spiders can't move their eyes, they can move their retinas to change their field of view. It's as if they're looking through a window.

If the spider is clear enough, you can even see the retinas moving through the cephalothorax:

Image sources: Melvyn Yeo, M.F. Land, and wmaddisn

[jigglypuffstoz]

well maybe if you looked at some jumping spiders wearing water droplets as hats you’d calm down

[ljsbugblog]

we finally found another Myrmarachne ant mimic, in our bathroom of all places.

I've been itching to get some more photos of these spiders since getting my speedlite, but they're very elusive and almost constantly in motion. thankfully this lady was content to explore a sheet of cardboard while I took a million photos of her like a madman.

special shoutout to my wonderful partner for a) spotting the spider in our house and b) wiggling their fingers in front of her to keep her attention while I got these photos (it seems jumping spiders are the wayward cats of the arthropod world lol).

I'll link my other Myrmarachne post here, as its interesting to compare the colouration of the two individuals. likely the same species, but my previous sighting had a much brighter gold on her abdomen.

Red-headed Ant-mimic Spider, female (Myrmarachne erythrocephala).

[luxiiien]

Had the pleasure to bump into this wonderful creature ✨️

[platycryptus]

Two male Platycryptus undatus I saw having a territorial dance-off

I think the one on the right might’ve backed down because he’s holding prey and would rather enjoy his meal in peace

(Massachusetts, 8/5/24)

[memories-of-ancients]

One of this year's Olympic long jump competitors from the country of Arachnistan.

[great-and-small]

Opinions on jumping spiders?

Perhaps the MOST charming family of spiders in the world? I love em!

I distinctly remember getting a lot more into the identification of invertebrates when a white-jawed jumping spider happened to scurry across a book I was reading while sitting outdoors. It was an unfamiliar face to me, but I got a positive ID from the iNaturalist app. Since then, I’ve made a significant effort to post bugs I don’t recognize whenever I can. Doing this has literally changed my entire worldview! How lovely to get to know my neighbors better while also contributing to citizen science.

[kedreeva]

Willow, asking for Uppies!

[video id: a female regal jumping spider with pink chelicerae is standing on a hand tapping her front legs on the person's skin and then raising them up while also looking up. She puts them down and then looks around, then walks down the person's arm closer to them and turns to raise her arms again like a small child asking to be picked up.

End ID]

[rattyexplores]

S. violacea, a very round species of jumping spider.

14/01/24 - Simaethula violacea

QLD:WET

[buginacup]

hello I would like to know about goofsder,,,,

okay but fr goofsder is one of my favorites but with the current in game art for them I'm not exactly sure on what is being conveyed fully? Like I'm not really sure why they're standing now? I love them but I would love any insight/background you could provide (on webbounce too obviously!) also I love the game and pretty much all the creatures in it! the whole team did a great job!

So for starters - the general concept with Goofsder is that they're standing upside down and walking on their forefront arms as if theyre big clown shoes! Having the rest of their legs up in the air makes it easier for them to juggle. You'll notice that Webbounce are often practicing leaning on their front arms alone, and when they're finally acrobatic enough they go topsy turvy full time!

Many jumping spiders have thicker front-most legs that they often use to aim their leaps - raising those arms into the air and then leaping in that direction. Similarly a lot of people are familiar with peacock jumping spider displays, and those also involve a lot of noticeable gesturing with their arms.

Obviously Webbounce is very cute, but Goofsder was designed first! For my first ever design Greg asked me to make a "clown bug" that a lot of people would like (and not be afraid of), it made sense to lean on more human-feeling gestures to make them more charming, and I liked the idea that Goofsder was aware of that to some degree - The bug equivalent of putting on big white makeup so that people high in the audience can still see your expression.

Once we knew what was cute about Goofsder it was easy to make an adorable baby for them, but I think once the animations are in people will find it a more natural series of designs.

Thanks for the ask!

[spiderdaynightlive]

It's been a long day.

You're exhausted.

And while your eyes are usually incredibly sharp, for this ability, your ancestors traded away every. last. scrap. of night vision.

Nevertheless, the dark is full of predators. So, on the underside of a leaf, a Lyssomanes jumping spider mom remains awake, vigilantly listening and feeling for any threats to her spiderlings.

(this is part of @franzanth's Insert An Invert project, meant to get y'all curious about bugs and other Invertebrates, so you try including em in your art. February's theme is "Relationships")

[hawkpartys]

Hairy Tufted Jumping Spider (Phidippus comatus)

[ljsbugblog]

exciting find today!! I believe this is a Red-and-Black Ant Mimic, a species of jumping spider evolved to mimic Strobe ants (family Opisthopsis). While I dont have a positive ID, this female looks like she's mimicking the Black-Headed Strobe Ant (Opisthopsis rufithorax).

Ant mimic spiders (Salticids or otherwise) are so fascinating to me, but I rarely get to see them, let alone get a clear photo. This girl was moving around so quickly (also mimicking the quick, jagged movements of Strobe ants) and I didn't have my macro on me, so sorry for the photo quality! she's too cool not to share anyway imo :,)

🕷!!!

Red-and-Black Ant Mimic, female (Myrmarachne bicolor).