Page 18 - Florida Pest Control Examinations

JUMPING SPIDER JUMPING SPIDER

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

1.Antenna- none 6.Cephalothorax JUMPING SPIDER
2.Eyes- 6, in three rows 7.Petiole- none
3.Prosoma 8.Abdomen- larger than body 6 8
4.Legs- 8 9.Color- black, brown, gray, orange
5.Wings- none 10.Other- can jump long distances 3
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Life Cycle
The females make a funnel web to retreat into and lay hundreds of eggs. 4
The eggs are laid in a case, and the young that hatch look like tiny
adults. They will molt several times as they grow.
Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
JUMPING SPIDERS Actual body size 3/8” to 1/2”

This small, active spider is sometimes mistaken for the black widow because some have an orange
abdomen. In truth, it bears no real resemblance, having very short legs and only being 3/8 inch in size.
It also has fairly large eyes. Jumping spiders are common in gardens and lawns, and in the spring
often make their way into homes in search of prey, being found in windows and doorways. Jumping
spiders are hunters, and do not spin a web to catch their meals. They pounce on their prey from quite
a distance. They eat just about any bugs that are smaller than they are, and are active in the daylight
hours. They are not really a pest as they do get rid of other insects.
1.Antenna- none 6.Cephalothorax CRAB SPIDER
2.Eyes-8 7.Petiole- none
3.Prosoma 8.Abdomen 6
4.Legs- 8 9.Color- mottled grays and browns 10 8
5.Wings- none 10.Other-male has large pedipalps
2
Life Cycle
Females will stay in one place only when laying and tending eggs. The 4
eggs are produced in an elongated egg sac, which will be found in
cracks and crevices being guarded by the mother spider. When they
hatch, they stay with the mother until they can fend for themselves.
Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
CRAB SPIDER Actual body size up to 1 1/2”

Crab Spiders get their name from their crab-like behavior and appearance. The legs extend
in crab fashion, and they can move forward, backward, and sideways just like crabs. They are
hunters, seeking to grab insect prey without the use of a web. They will actually try to outrun
insects. The largest varieties can reach about 2 1/4th inches in size. The larger Crab Spiders
are often misidentified as being “tarantulas”. They will sometimes invade homes in search of
insects. They can inflict a painful bite, but it is not dangerous to humans.

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