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What
Hairy Tufted Jumping Spider (Phidippus comatus)Observer
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I was SO excited to see these little hatchlings emerge on my kitchen window yesterday! A few months ago, a huge female P. comatus made her way across my living room and kitchen a few times (via ceiling), dropping periodically to check things out. She appeared to be gravid, and my guess was she was looking for a spot to make a nest. I wasn't able to get a photo before she disappeared, never to be seen again. When I saw these babies, I could tell they were phids, but to the naked eye it was impossible to see whether they were P. audax or P. comatus, the two Phidippus species I have found in my yard. The babies came out again today, and this time I had my camera! I believe these markings are early comatus color pattern, and I think that mama made her egg sac inside the window track or something. The best part was when I crossed the kitchen to go get a bit of paper towel so I could give them a drink, and there was another one of the babies on the paper towel roll!!😄
What
Typical Jumping Spiders (Subfamily Salticinae)Observer
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I have manipulated this photo a lot in an effort to try to make the spider/molt inside more visible. Unfortunately, it's still too hard to see. When I took the photo, there was a Platycryptus californicus sitting right next to it. I was going to snap a picture, but it ran off before I got one. I suspect that its molt is inside.
Photos / Sounds
What
Genus ThanatusObserver
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The only time I ever see Thanatus in my yard is on the side of my metal shed. Not sure what it is about that spot. I see lots of Tibellus there too, but I see them other places in my yard.
What
Genus MetepeiraObserver
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This juvenile male orbweaver appeared on his own at the NHMU table at this year's SpiderFest.
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Triangulate Combfoot (Steatoda triangulosa)Observer
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Our shed hasn't been used much in the past year, and it usually has black widow webbing stretching across most of the things at the entrance when you first open it. So when I cleared a bunch of webbing and saw tiny cobweb spiders all over the floor of the shed, I assumed they would be baby widows. To my surprise, they all turned out to be S. triangulosa! I didn't actually see any widows around their webbing.
Photos / Sounds
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Dwarf Spiders (Subfamily Erigoninae)Observer
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Literally dropped down between me and my computer screen as I was identifying spiders. Thanks little buddy! Last photo is for size reference.
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Wall Spiders (Genus Oecobius)Observer
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An even younger juvenile! Elm seed for size reference.
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Wall Spiders (Genus Oecobius)Observer
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Baby! I clearly don't have the best camera setup for such tiny subjects, but it's still fun to capture a juvenile of a tiny species.
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Wall Spiders (Genus Oecobius)Observer
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Under leaf litter. Got one pic before it zoomed off.
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Northern Yellow Sac Spider (Cheiracanthium mildei)Observer
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Best guess based on sac and appearance of molt. Must have been quite young.
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Attulus ammophilusObserver
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Leg IV longest. Species known to be in my yard.
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Common Candy-striped Spider (Enoplognatha ovata)Observer
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SO excited to see this gorgeous spider! First of all, she's BEAUTIFUL, but secondly, Enoplognatha is another new visitor to my yard! I've had Theridion spiders galore, but this one is new. I do think I may have misidentified a spiderling of this back in April, assuming it was Theridion.
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Western Black Widow (Latrodectus hesperus)Observer
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The pictures don't do this justice. This big lady has formed a tunnel into debris that is perfectly circular and about 1.5 inches in diameter. It's impressive!
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Genus EustalaObserver
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Delighted to see this little spiderling under my rose bush! An adult female Eustala had lived in the rose bush back in April, and it was the first time I'd ever seen this genus in my yard. So happy she left behind her legacy.
Photos / Sounds
What
Typical Jumping Spiders (Subfamily Salticinae)Observer
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Was surprised to find a jumper molt in the sac! I thought it was going to be a Cheiracanthium molt, since they are usually the ones making sacs on leaves in my yard.
Photos / Sounds
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Western Lynx Spider (Oxyopes scalaris)Observer
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About the size of a pinhead
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Western Black Widow (Latrodectus hesperus)Observer
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Saw this little thing alive in its web the other day, but today there is a little S. triangulosa in its place, and this thing is crispy.
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Subfamily LycosinaeObserver
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Carapace flew away like a sail when I pulled the molt out of the box. Pretty sure it's a Schizocosa, but I didn't get a good look.
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Triangulate Combfoot (Steatoda triangulosa)Observer
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Cardboard corrugation for size reference
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Bold Jumping Spider (Phidippus audax)Observer
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This handsome gentleman has been living in our house for months now. He likes it in the kitchen window but also spends a lot of time around our plants. It's a bit like having a free-range spider pet. I'll be very sad when he's gone.
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Ant Spiders (Genus Zodarion)Observer
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Snapped the best picture I could manage with a tiny speedy spider on one of my hands. I love it when these little things make a visit to my bedroom, and I rarely get to see a male.