HOME | DD
WanderingMogwai — Daring Jumper (Phidippus audax)
by-nc-nd
#arachnid #audax #bold #bug #jumper #macro #nature #phidippus #photography #spider
Published: 2015-08-14 17:23:51 +0000 UTC; Views: 456; Favourites: 18; Downloads: 0
Redirect to original
Description
I don't know why this species is called "bold'. It may look big and bad for a Jumper but it is actually a bit timid.Related content
Comments: 18
I love these little critters! 
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
They do, don't they
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Love when their pedipalps flash 
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Yeah... In general Jumpers are the 'cutest' of the spiders but they stillare spiders! lol
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
they've always been my favorite - followed closely by the local tarantulas
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
The "Daring" moniker is apt as they have a number of relatively "brave" habits. I've had a surprising number of them walk over me, showing more curiosity or interest in getting a better vantage point than fear of me.
They are also extremely effective hunters of airborne insects. Trusting their anchor web-lines, they will leap from relatively great heights to snag bugs that as Cyps said are quite often significantly larger than themselves like big Moths & Butterflies. I've also seen them tackle potentially deadly opponents like Beetles, Bees, Yellow Jackets, other spiders and even Centipedes.
As for "Bold",
LOL! I find that name very accurately describes every egg-sac guarding female P. Audax I've ever found. She don't care how much bigger an intruder might be, she's ready, willing & able to will attack anything that comes near her treasure. I've had them viciously and repeatedly attack a probe I use when I've attempted to coax them into view; I could actually hear audible clicks as their fangs stuck against the thin metal rod.
I have been bitten by a couple of them & while it's not as bad getting tagged by a young T, they can deliver a painful little nip.
👍: 0 ⏩: 2
That makes perfect sense. The Latin word "audax" looks and sounds similar to "audacious" which seems to be another synonym for "bold" and "daring." Strange seeing how these precious little critters seem rather camera-shy. oOOo
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
You can hear them biting the rod?? That is so cool!!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
LOL! Yes, the strikes against the steel rod were actually strong enough to be audible a few feet away as I've those in the room with me ask if the clicking noise was the spider biting the probe.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I think the name has to do with its tackling prey far larger than itself? Seems a bit of an unfair label though, seeing as many other spiders do that as well..
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
May be. They are also a little larger than most Jumpers get. Maybe it' the bold markings, too!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Sure sounds possible 
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I've never heard it called the "Bold" jumper...something else, but wasn't bold.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Actually it's 'Daring' idk how I got that mixed up. I looked it up as daring but somehow came out of it with bold
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Haahaaha! Alrighty then
👍: 0 ⏩: 1