Family: Salticidae, Jumping Spiders view all from this family

Description Male 1/4-1/2" (6-13 mm), female 3/8-5/8" (8-15 mm). Black with a short gray or white crossband on abdomen and several gray or white spots. Pale markings, often yellow or orange in spiderlings. Chelicerae metallic green.

Food Insects.

Life Cycle Male courts female, backing or jumping away if female approaches too rapidly. Female produces egg sac while in silken retreat, then attends it until spiderlings disperse.

Habitat Woods and gardens on tree trunks and fallen limbs, and in ground litter.

Range Atlantic Coast to Rocky Mountains in the United States and southern Canada. In recent years has expanded westward; now reported in Washington and California.

Discussion This common species enters houses, hunting on windowsills and sashes.