Bold Jumping Spider (Phidippus audax)
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This largest of all jumping spiders found in Austin easily warrants the name Bold Jumping Spider. Although it is only about ½ inch long when mature, it is quite startling for people used to seeing jumping spiders less than half that size. The bold jumper is quite common, and frequently enters homes in search of insects. The photos here show females, but the males are quite similar, being just a bit smaller and having a little more white coloration.
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Spiders have a pair of mouth parts called chelicerae. These are located on the front of the head (iridescent green shown above) and have the fangs at their tips. Because jumping spiders do not subdue their prey with silk, they must have rather powerful venom, and plenty of it, to kill prey quickly. Most jumping spiders are very small and so rarely bite humans, but the large fangs on the bold jumper could probably easily puncture flesh. Care is advised when handling these spiders.
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With their large eyes and keen vision, jumping spiders notice and respond to many stimuli in their environment. One common pose used for both mating signals and threats is shown above. The bold jumper often gives this warning sign if a person, or camera lens, gets too close.
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The markings on the bold jumper are rather variable. There are usually three white spots on the abdomen, but in younger individuals, as shown above, they can be red, orange, or yellow. There are also varying amounts of white markings. The spiders can always be identified, however, by their large size, hairiness, and mostly black coloration. When the spiders are very young (and only the size of most other species of jumping spiders), they have more colorful and elaborate patterns, as shown below.
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class: Arachnida / order: Araneae / family: Salticidae / genus: Phidippus / species: audax
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