Habronattus pyrrithrix
Habronattus pyrrithrix
Males perform an elaborate courtship dance involving rhythmic leg-waving, abdomen-slapping, and seismic vibrations transmitted through the ground to capture the female's attention.
- Scientific name
- Habronattus pyrrithrix
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Arachnida › Araneae › Salticidae › Habronattus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Grassy fields, lawns, backyard gardens, agricultural crops, and riparian leaf litter
- Diet
- Small insects, including fruit flies, leafhoppers, aphids, and other small arthropods
- Range
- United States, Mexico
- Size
- 5 to 8 mm (0.2 to 0.3 inches) in body length
- Lifespan
- 1 to 2 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Broad-spectrum pesticide use in gardens and agricultural fields, and extreme habitat fragmentation.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. These tiny, curious spiders pose no threat to humans and will often watch you with their large, inquisitive eyes. They can be safely observed from inches away or allowed to crawl on your hand. In the extremely rare event of a bite, which is less painful than a mosquito bite, wash the area with soap and water.
Habronattus pyrrithrix is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae. It is found in the USA and Mexico.
Photo: Jesse Rorabaugh, no known copyright restrictions (public domain), PD, via iNaturalist
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