Sassacus vitis
This record describes Sassacus vitis (species). Recorded family: Salticidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Palp Epigynum (ventral/dorsal) The body is covered in iridescent scales which flash either green or gold in strong light (often doesn't show up well in photographs). This iridescence has been explained as mimicking of certain beetles, but more recently it's been suggested that it may be for mimicking of water droplets. Sassacus vitis in Florida, Mexico, and Central America often have white patches behind the posterior lateral eyes and longitudinal white stripes on the abdomen:
Identification notes
Palp Epigynum (ventral/dorsal)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Salticidae (Jumping Spiders)
- Genus
- Sassacus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
On shrubs and vines and in fields. Best know as a common resident in vineyards.
Geographic Range
British Columbia and Alberta south into Mexico and west to Kansas and Texas (also Florida)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Insects and smaller spiders. Said to like thrips and small flies, but not leafhoppers
Life History
Odonate exuviae are often found to be occupied by this species (and sometimes other salticids) along the Pacific Coast .
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: vitis is Latin for "grapevine"
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Sassacus vitis. 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 Sassacus vitis (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Chuck Entz; Additional contributions by Lynette Elliott , cheins , Dick Walton , dragonfly12 , kschnei , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Sassacus vitis
What is Sassacus vitis?
Sassacus vitis is a species in the family Salticidae, within the order Araneae.
How big is Sassacus vitis?
♀ 3.5 mm, ♂ 4.5 mm
How do you identify Sassacus vitis?
Palp Epigynum (ventral/dorsal)
Where is Sassacus vitis found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | On shrubs and vines and in fields. Best know as a common resident in vineyards. |
| Range | British Columbia and Alberta south into Mexico and west to Kansas and Texas (also Florida) |
What does Sassacus vitis eat?
The diet of the Sassacus vitis includes Insects and smaller spiders. Said to like thrips and small flies, but not leafhoppers.
What is the life cycle of a Sassacus vitis?
Odonate exuviae are often found to be occupied by this species (and sometimes other salticids) along the Pacific Coast .