Bold Jumping Spiders of Ainsworth

This itsy-bitsy spider swung down from the top of the garage doorframe on a single thread of silk.


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It is a Bold Jumping Spider. Their scientific name is Phidippus audax — audax, Latin, meaning bold, daring; and Phidippus, a Greek name meaning "one who spares horses." So, while they are day-hunting carnivores, the horsies need not fear them. It didn't bite me either, even while I was "persuading" it to move off the sidewalk by brandishing a leaf at it.

Awesome Crab Spiders of Ainsworth

This crab spider seems to be saying, "Just look at me! I'm so flippin' awesome!"


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Or maybe she's saying, "What? You got a problem with me?"

She might be a Goldenrod crab spider. They have the ability to change color, between yellow and white, to better blend in with the plant where they are sitting and waiting for prey. But they can't turn green to blend in with green onions.

Not sure why she chose to sit there. The insects that make up her diet don't generally hang out in the middle of green onion stalks. Maybe she just wants to stand out, in all her awesomeness.

Amazing Rear Ends of Ainsworth (Arachnophobes Beware!)

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This lady with the prickly back end is a Spined Micrathena. The purpose of her spines is unknown, apparently; I've seen some discussions and speculations online, but none of it sounds certain.

We know she's a female because she has built a web, as we can see in this view of her underside …



… which is something males of this species don't do once they have "attained sexual maturity." (Source)

Like most web-building spiders, she likes to eat mosquitoes and flies, so she's A-OK in my book.

She is a bit shy and didn't really like having her photo taken. That's why she left the middle of her web and ran to take shelter on the goldenrod.



For a picture of a male Spined Micrathena, click here.