Summary
The most commonly encountered jumping spider in North America. Recognized by its compact black body, iridescent green chelicerae, and three white or orange spots on the dorsal abdomen. Jumping spiders are diurnal active hunters with the sharpest vision of any arthropod and are not medically significant.
Quick answers
- Is Bold Jumping Spider dangerous to humans?
- No. Current evidence does not link bold jumping spider bites to serious medical outcomes in healthy adults.
- How big is an adult bold jumping spider?
- Adult female body length is 8–15 mm; males are 6–13 mm. Leg span reaches 12–22 mm.
- Where does Bold Jumping Spider live?
- Open sunlit surfaces - fences, walls, gardens, window screens, tree trunks. Established U.S. populations occur in 1 states.
- What does Bold Jumping Spider eat and when is it active?
- Flies, small moths, other spiders, occasionally larger insects. Diurnal active hunter. Stalks prey and pounces with a silk safety dragline.
Identification
- Compact black body, 8–15 mm, often with three white or orange spots on the dorsal abdomen
- Iridescent green or blue-green chelicerae (very distinctive)
- Two very large forward-facing eyes give a 'cute' appearance
- Stalks and pounces on prey rather than building a web
- Often turns to face an observer - high-resolution forward vision
Morphometrics
| Measurement | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|
| Body length | 8–15 mm | 6–13 mm |
| Leg span | 12–22 mm | - |
| Lifespan | 1–2 years | - |
| Trait | Value |
|---|---|
| Web type | No prey-capture web; constructs a silken retreat for molting and overnight rest. |
| Eye arrangement | Eight eyes in three rows: a forward-facing pair of very large anterior median eyes (used for high-acuity vision), two small anterior lateral eyes, and four smaller posterior eyes. |
| Eggs per sac | 30–170 |
| Egg sacs per year | 1–6 |
Geographic range
Native range: North America east of the Rocky Mountains; introduced elsewhere.
U.S. states with established populations: All U.S. states east of the Rockies plus introduced populations in California and Hawaii.
State pages covering Bold Jumping Spider
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
Habitat & behavior
Habitat: Open sunlit surfaces - fences, walls, gardens, window screens, tree trunks.
Activity: Diurnal active hunter. Stalks prey and pounces with a silk safety dragline.
Diet: Flies, small moths, other spiders, occasionally larger insects.
Venom & medical significance
| Venom property | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Not medically significant |
| LD₅₀ | Not established |
| Note | - |
Bite symptoms & first aid
Symptoms
- Mild local pain and itching if a bite occurs; no medical significance
Commonly confused with
- Black widow (juvenile)
- Other Phidippus species
Key facts
- Jumping spiders have the highest-acuity vision of any arthropod, with anterior median eyes that resolve fine detail at close range. [1]
Sources
- [1]Phidippus audax (Bold Jumper) - University of Florida IFAS Featured Creatures. Accessed 2026-06-14.