Gray Wall Jumper
Menemerus bivittatus
This record describes Menemerus bivittatus (species). Recorded family: Salticidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Female & Male together Non-native, likely introduced from the Old World tropics.
Identification notes
Female & Male together
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Salticidae (Jumping Spiders)
- Genus
- Menemerus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
In the U.S., most commonly found on the exterior walls of buildings during the day.
Geographic Range
A pantropical species whose North American range is North Carolina south to Florida and west across the southern states to California. (Collections localities also include records for West Virginia and Minnesota, however those were not established populations.)
Seasonal Activity
All year round, though more noticeable in spring and summer.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Lens-shaped egg sac with approx. 25-40 eggs inside.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author of name: Léon Jean Marie Dufour. First year published: 1831, as Salticus bivittatus .
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Menemerus bivittatus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
As of 2023, 51,673 spider species in 136 families have been recorded, though an estimated 150,000 species exist. Spiders rank 7th in total species diversity among all organism orders. Only 0.5% of spider species pose any risk to human health.
Ecological role of the group
Spider venom contains complex peptides with diverse pharmacological activities, making them valuable for drug development research. Spiders produce up to 7 types of silk from specialized glands. Spider silk genes have been inserted into mammals and plants for biotech applications.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The global spider community kills an estimated 400-800 million tons of prey annually (2017 study). Spiders provide billions of dollars in natural pest control for agriculture. Spider silk is 5× stronger than steel of the same diameter, driving a biomaterials research industry.
Recorded sources for this group: World Spider Catalog, PNAS, Nature, ScienceDirect. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Gray Wall Jumper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Lynette Elliott , Jeff Hollenbeck , cheins , Dick Walton , kschnei , v belov , Mandy Howe
Frequently Asked Questions About Gray Wall Jumper
What is Gray Wall Jumper?
Gray Wall Jumper (Menemerus bivittatus) is a species in the family Salticidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Gray Wall Jumper?
Body length of adult females approx. 7-10mm; of adult males approx. 5-9mm.
How do you identify Gray Wall Jumper?
Female & Male together
Where is Gray Wall Jumper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | In the U.S., most commonly found on the exterior walls of buildings during the day. |
| Range | A pantropical species whose North American range is North Carolina south to Florida and west across the southern states to California. (Collections localities also include records for West Virginia and Minnesota, however those were not established populations.) |
When is Gray Wall Jumper active?
Gray Wall Jumper: seasonal activity - All year round, though more noticeable in spring and summer..
What is the life cycle of a Gray Wall Jumper?
Lens-shaped egg sac with approx. 25-40 eggs inside.