Phidippus mystaceus
This record describes Phidippus mystaceus (species). Recorded family: Salticidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Large, variable in color. Three sets of abdominal markings apparently distinctive. Male Female
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Salticidae (Jumping Spiders)
- Genus
- Phidippus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Connecticut south to Florida and west to Colorado and Texas (absent from Great Lakes States) Map
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Food
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Phidippus mystaceus (Hentz) Modern Latin: "like or having a moustache" from Greek mystax (μυσαξ)- "upper lip, moustache"
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Phidippus mystaceus. 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 Phidippus mystaceus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by cotinis , Jeff Hollenbeck , cheins , Chuck Entz , Mike Quinn , Dick Walton , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Phidippus mystaceus
What is Phidippus mystaceus?
Phidippus mystaceus is a species in the family Salticidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Phidippus mystaceus?
16 mm body length
How do you identify Phidippus mystaceus?
Large, variable in color. Three sets of abdominal markings apparently distinctive. Male Female
Where is Phidippus mystaceus found?
Range: Connecticut south to Florida and west to Colorado and Texas (absent from Great Lakes States) Map
What does Phidippus mystaceus eat?
The diet of the Phidippus mystaceus includes Food.