This beautiful little jumping spider is Hentzia mitrata < I am unable to find a common name for it, but I think it should be called Orange-headed jumping spider. Just look at that bright copper colored forehead. This one is an adult male, they do not get very large and will only reach about 2 to 3 mm when full grown. This super tiny size makes them difficult to locate on vegetation sometimes.
Jumping spiders are completely harmless to humans, most cannot bite at all, and those can, won't unless they are being terribly molested. A friend of mine assured me they are safe to handle and even fun to use for programs with children. Because they are common it is a spider children can identify with....and they will "yo-yo' on a string made from silk as they dangle from your hand. I have not yet tried this with a school group, but I definitely plan to. Thanks Mark for the info and for sharing your love of spiders with me.
These spiders, while being perfectly harmless, can be intimidating with their habit of "jumping" quite rapidly from object to object, sometimes even jumping at you. This is all in the name of escape for them, they are merely trying to avoid being seen, captured or "yo-yo'd"
A common jumper I see is black. Great photo capture. The Everyday Adventurer has a jumper in his blog today.
ReplyDeleteThe black ones are the most common around here too, they are the ones that make it into my house all the time. I've never visited Everyday Adventurer's blog, I will have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteVery impressive amount of information and great photos. When do you have time to work and take courses with this much blogging?? Donald Lewis, ISU
ReplyDeleteThank you for your thoughtful, kind words Donald. Nature is my passion. I love all living creatures, insects being my favorite. I enjoy researching them and posting about them. I learn each and every day, which is something I inherited from my grandfather. He constantly found things he was interested in and enjoyed learning about. My grandmother has a saying that I have always loved, she used to say "If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it" There is a certain amount of truth in that, don't you think? I hope you visit often, and give your input.
ReplyDeleteI see little white & black 'zebra' jumpers in the southeast USA. The most interesting thing about them is their amazing vision. They will turn to watch your hand or other movement. This is an interesting lesson for kids.
ReplyDeleteI had one riding beside my window in the car one day - a real laugh as we kept looking at each other, then she'd turn to watch the oncoming traffic a while. O_o
They seem almost intelligent don't they? LOL I love the they follow with their eyes. I will sure be glad when spring returns so I get back outside searching for bugs and spiders
ReplyDeleteI am terrified of spiders and currently have one of these guys pestering me as I sit outside trying to study. I had to holler at my husband because I felt a panic attack coming on since he would not go away. My biggest fear is him jumping toward me! I realize he won't hurt me and therefore can appreciate how interesting he really is! Thanks for the info!
ReplyDeleteI just finished a macro session with this little fellow on my front porch. Thanks to this blog, I now know what it is. As the poster states, I can't find a common name either, so "Orange Headed Jumping Spider" sounds like a good name to me! I really like jumpers and this little fellow is amazing. He sat there as long as I needed him to and, through my lense, you could see his eyes looking around for dinner.
ReplyDeleteI found one of these today in my yard, and it was a new jumper for me. I also live in Missouri. My search for an ID led me to your great blog. Do you have a good spider ID source that you use? Anyhow, wonderful photos and blog.
ReplyDeletePretty little guy. Thanks for the ID? One of these appeared on my arm as I was looking at sedges in my garden today. I've seen very few.
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