Jumping Spiders Don’t Spin Silk Webs to Catch Prey but Where Do They Live in Summerfield FL?
Most people would look sideways at a person who describes a spider as cute, adorable, and precious. Generally, opposite words are used; creepy, grotesque, and disgusting, but even if you fear the little critters, we at Pest 911 would like to introduce you to the peacock spider. They are tiny little spiders with extraordinary markings and coloring that perform exotic dancing rituals for their potential mate.
Jumping Spiders Don’t Spin Webs
With the newly discovered species of peacock spiders found in Southeast and Southwest Australia, we would like share the basics about the peacock spiders in general. These little cuties average about 1/8”, about the size of a pencil eraser. Because they are so tiny, there little jaws are not big enough or strong enough to raise any concern for human health risks, but being a jumping spider; they do not spin webs. These cute little monsters are much like lions, stalking their pray before they pounce and take them down. Peacock spiders are capable of taking down prey 3-4 times their size.
Peacock Spider Identification
Peacock spiders are classified into one genus, Maratus; belonging to the Salticidae family and all 67 known named species and subspecies are very distinct and feature a variety of colors, markings, and patterns. More and more people are in wonder over these adorable little arachnids with their interesting coloring, flashy dancing capabilities, and their adorable looks. There are many examples in nature where the females are fairly boring, plain, and drab in appearance and the males look flashy and detailed and these peacock spiders are no different. The males use their striking good looks for enticing the ladies and once they have their attention, they conduct a ritual mating dance. For the most part, is fairly easy to identify the different peacock spider species having their own specific coloring and markings. Many scientists and laymen alike have been captivated by the “blue-face”, or the Maratus personatus spider. Having a very effective characteristic that lures in the females, these little additions to the peacock spider family, feature a unique bright blue mask on its back. To get the females attention, they will raise a single leg and waive it, after which the blue-face spider will utilize a fan-like abdomen that they extend along with the eye-catching blue mask and white-colored bandings. Along with the blue-face peacock spider, the Trigonus spider that has its own unique identifier is a white crown at the tips of its abdomen. Rightfully named, there is also the Electricus spider, which resembles a circuit board having the arresting pattern made up of parallel red lines on its back. Lastly mentioned, this peacock spider has eight plumes of long white hairs sticking up from its back, much like the plume of feathers that make up a peacock’s tail that even laymen can recognize, and they are the Cristatus spider.
Jumping Spider Control
Throughout Florida, we don’t have these adorable critters entertaining us with their intriguing markings and ritual dance moves, but the jumping spiders we do have include gray wall jumper and pantropical jumper. They often build retreats inside our homes around door and window molding, under furniture, in floor cracks and drapery folds and even between books on bookshelves. Outside our homes, their retreats may be found between leaves and under loose bark etc. If you are having an issue with spiders or other pests invading your home, call Pest 911 and our technicians will assess the situation and present the most optimal solution.
