Salticus palpalis
This record describes Salticus palpalis (species). Recorded family: Salticidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
The cephalothorax is covered in iridescent scales; the abdomen is brick-red with four transverse pure white bands, the last of them at the spinnerets.
Wikipedia reference for Salticus palpalis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salticus palpalis.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Salticidae (Jumping Spiders)
- Genus
- Salticus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
AZ, CA , and BugGuide records add NV (presumably other places in the southwest, as well?)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author of the name: Banks. Year first published: 1904.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Salticus palpalis. 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 Salticus palpalis (10)
Photo credits: Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by cheins , Dick Walton , Mandy Howe
Frequently Asked Questions About Salticus palpalis
What is Salticus palpalis?
Salticus palpalis is a species in the family Salticidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Salticus palpalis?
Body length about 5mm
How do you identify Salticus palpalis?
The cephalothorax is covered in iridescent scales; the abdomen is brick-red with four transverse pure white bands, the last of them at the spinnerets.
Where is Salticus palpalis found?
Range: AZ, CA , and BugGuide records add NV (presumably other places in the southwest, as well?)