Jumping spider with green stripe on forelegs
This little jumping spider was running around the base of the outside wall of our house on June 9, 2012. I really should have shot these with the close-up lens, and with more light, but at least we can still see most details OK.
The most unique feature is the broad green stripe on the inside of his front pair of legs. This color, and the big pedipalps, mark him has a male, and he probably uses his big, green-striped forelegs to make mating displays for the ladies.
In addition to being colorful, his forelegs are pretty large compared to his other legs. This is probably serving two purposes: in addition to big forelegs making for a better display, they are probably also really good for grabbing onto prey. I like the fringe of white hairs, too.
He’s distinctive enough that I think he’s one of the Habronattus viridipes species group. These are some rather pretty jumping spiders, which I bet have pretty good mating displays if I can ever catch them at it. Yet another reason to get a video camera with reasonably good macrophotography capability.
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Wow, that’s some serious neon green. When I saw the first photo, I thought, “Meh. That’s a pretty drab spider.” Then you see the legs in the second photo and it’s a real shock.
Jumping spiders have such personality. Love you shots, would love to see the mating dance.