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The Bug Geek
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Photo Friday: Terrifically uncooperative jumping spider
Posted by on October 12, 2012
Ever since falling madly in love with the gorgeous big jumping spiders in Florida, I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled for a native Phidippus to photograph.
Yesterday, during a lab that took our students to the outdoor horticultural center on our campus, a student collected a lovely immature male jumping spider from a row of peppers, popped it in his sandwich bag, and brought it to the instructor.
I was like, YOINK.
Ever since, I have been taking breaks from my work about every hour, trying desperately to get a decent shot of this incredibly bold and active little guy, who had no interest whatsoever in being cooperative.
I finally got one that works for me:
Handsome little devil, no?
ETA:
Oh, what the heck, here’s one more:
(This lovely specimen was collected by Joseph Perreault).
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I have to apologize for the lack of posting lately. I am feeling rather guilty about it, but, as my advisor (who, ironically, is blogging/tweeting like a boss right now) says, “you’re doing a PhD”. Yeah, I am, and sometimes the work has to come first. 😦
Love the fall colours with this one. A question: how do you tell a immature male from a female? Is it the flashy chelicerae?
It’s the pedipalps…you can’t tell from the photo but they’re sort of bulgy at the tips – after another molt they’ll probably have the characteristic sperm-transferring look about them (the “boxing gloves”).
Thanks!
Green fangs! 🙂
Great shots! As always. 😀 I amost feel that I am communicating with the beast by looking into its googly eyes.
I understand your fascination with bugs, me too. Must of the bugs are just so pretty, especially tiny hyper spiders. I also really like bumble bees and butterflies.
Great snap. It looks really great. It is called sublime beauty. Thanks for sharing.