Asiatic wall jumping spider

not listed

NNA - Not applicable

SNR - Unranked

not listed

Asiatic wall jumping spider is a small exotic spider from Asia. It is native to Korea, Japan, China, Mongolia, and Russia. It was introduced into North America in the 1950s and has expanded its range rapidly with the unwitting help of humans. It is now widespread east of the Rocky Mountains. It is common in the south half of Minnesota.

The female body is ⅛″ to 3 ⁄16″ (4 to 5.5 mm) long, not including the legs. The male is slightly smaller, ⅛″ to 3 ⁄16″ (3.5 to 4.5 mm) long.

On the male, the plate covering the cephalothorax (carapace) is wide and rounded on the sides. It is dark brown to almost black but is densely covered with white and brown hairs. White hairs form a distinct longitudinal line in the middle. There are four pairs of eyes arranged in what appears to be three rows occupying a little less than half of the length of the carapace. The first row of four eyes, consisting of the anterior median eyes (AME) and anterior lateral eyes (ALE), is curved backward. The AME are the middle and forward-most pair of these. They are by far the largest of all of the eyes and can be moved. The AME are about twice as large as the ALE. The second row of two eyes are the posterior median eyes (PME). They are very small and are barely or not at all noticeable on most photos. The third row of eyes is the posterior lateral eyes (PLE). The PLE are set far back on the head and are almost exactly as far apart as the ALE. There is a row of erect, stiff, black bristles behind the anterior eyes (AME and ALE) and more scattered bristles across the cephalothorax.

The abdomen is brown and is densely covered with dark brown hairs and white hairs that lie loosely. There are two dark bands with white spots on the front (anterior) half and a pair of large white spots on the rear (posterior) half.

The legs are short and yellowish with dark rings and black bristles.

The female is similar but has a broader abdomen and is light brown with yellowish markings.

Female Body Length: 3 ⁄16″ to ¼″ (5 to 6 mm)

Male Body Length: ⅛″ to 3 ⁄16″ (4 to 5 mm)

Legspan: ¼″ to 5 ⁄16″ (6 to 8 mm)

Buildings, especially those with artificial light

May to October

Sources

Common and widespread

Until recently, most species in the tribe Sitticini were placed in the genus Sitticus. In 2017 the genus was split into seven genera. Then in 2020, based on a molecular phylogenetic study, most species were restored to one genus. However, the name Attulus (1889) has priority over the name Sitticus (1901), and Sitticus fasciger became Attulus fasciger.

very jumpy!

found in the shop at a marina

Never seen this species in my house before, I usually only see zebra jumping spiders on windowsills and not in the dead of winter. Prompted me to search for the species. No where near a window and no known gnats in this room of the house.

Egg sac and nymphs included. Located behind a Ring Video Doorbell during annual cleaning.

Location: Fargo, ND

very jumpy!

Location: Saint Paul Park, MN

found in the shop at a marina

Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Never seen this species in my house before, I usually only see zebra jumping spiders on windowsills and not in the dead of winter. Prompted me to search for the species. No where near a window and no known gnats in this room of the house.

Location: Green Isle, MN, Sibley County

Egg sac and nymphs included. Located behind a Ring Video Doorbell during annual cleaning.

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

Location: Waseca MN.

Likes to hang around my computer monitor. Cannot believe how far and fast it can jump which prompted me to look for the name. It or family has been in this location for a couple years at least. Seems successful at catching / eating gnats or whatever the small flies are.

Location: Woodbury, MN

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota