Jumping Spider Sitticus pubescens

I have come across two of these today in the back garden, one on a fence and one on my garage wall. The one on the fence got away so no pics there, but they are lightning fast and they jump so very well, hence their name. I wanted to get a goggle-eye head shot, but too fast, it was gone and disappeared in a crack between paving.

With this spider I am struck at how lovely the colours and patterning are, and how fine the hairs are which coat its head and body.

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May 2018, rear garden, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman

Zebra Spider Salticus scenicus

April 2018, rear garden, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman

Sitticus pubescens

I found this small jumping spider in my garage on my freezer door. I had never seen this species of spider before. I only normally see the Zebra Spider  (Salticus scenicus), so this was quite a find. Males and females are similar, except the males have a smaller abdomens. The white pattern patches can be variable. Body length up to 4.5mm.

They feed on small invertebrates.

They reach maturity in the summer, although the females maybe found throughout the year. Usually found around human habitation, on walls, windows and doors, fences and in outbuildings and houses. Also found under stones, and on tree trunks and fence posts. Locally common and widespread in England and Wales.

Photographs of Sitticus pubescens taken July 2014, rear garden, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2014. Camera used Nikon D3200, with Sigma 105mm macro lens.

A Zebra In The Back Garden

These small jumping spiders are quite distinctive with their black or dark brown and white stripe markings, hence their vernacular name of ‘Zebra Spider’.  The males and females have slightly differing patterning. The females can grow up to 7mm long, the males up to 6mm.

They feed on aphids and other small invertebrates.

They reach maturity in the summer. This is one of the most commonly seen of the jumping spiders, and maybe observed on walls, fences and even outbuilding doors in bright sunshine gathering warmth, and whilst hunting. They are common and widespread throughout Great Britain.

Photographs taken May and  June 2014, rear garden, Staffordshire.