Jumping Spiders of Virginia
Jumping spiders are ambush predators who use their superior vision to hunt insects. As part of a backyard biodiversity project, I’ve been documenting our Virginia species. Jumping spiders sport telescopic eyes, create silken sleeping bags, and there's even research on the planning skills of certain species!
Bold jumping spider (Phidippus audax). Jumping spiders spin cozy silk sleeping bags for shelter. As the temperatures drop, they cinch them up and tuck themselves inside.
A jumping spider crawls across a stem
Tan jumping spider (Platycryptus undatus)
