North America’s Most Common Spider

The bold jumping spider is one of the most prolific spiders within the United States. The spider is identified by its distinct black, or gray, hairy abdomen with most exhibiting three white, red or orange spots. Bold jumping spiders have the appearance of eyebrows due to hair tufts present above two large center eyes. This species is relatively small. Females average ¾” in size, while males are smaller capping at ½“.

The bold jumping spider’s diet consists of a range of insects as well as other spider species. Due to the small size of these spiders, they are seen as prey for dragonflies, birds and lizards. Bold jumping spiders hunt primarily during the day. The bold jumping spider has abandoned the creation of webs to catch prey and instead relies on vision and instinct, however, they will build protective webs.

The populations of the bold jumping spider are incredibly diverse and can frequently be seen in many different settings. Natural habitats for this spider include woodlands, grasslands and fields. The bold jumping spider will sometimes be found within a home, but are more likely to be in sheds and structures like barns.

Reproductive females can produce up to eight egg sacs each year after a late spring/early summer mating period. Each egg sac produced by a female bold jumping spider can contain up to 170 eggs, allowing for population explosions during an infestation. Within warmer areas, this species can live longer and produce more offspring.

The bold jumping spider possesses fluorescent green fangs to catch prey. In rare instances, these spiders will bite humans in self-defense. If bitten, symptoms will generally fade within two days. In general, victims of a bite from this spider will have red bumps at the bite site with slight pain and itching. Daytime, solitary hunting habits within this species reduce the risk of being bitten.