Phidippus ardens – Widow Jumping Spider

Phidippus ardens – Widow Jumping Spider

Its important that localities are not crossed as each one is unique and from a different area or country. Crossing them will lead the eventual loss of these unique forms to the hobby. It is worth noting that there is always variation in colour even within each locality and males are always black. 

Widow Jumpers get there name often mistaken for black widows due to the red stripes on the abdomen a bit like in the UK everyone thinks every spider in their garage is a false widow. An absolute unit of a jumping spider as large as P.regius. Spiderlings hatch out large and feed straight on larger hydei fruit flies. As well as two parallel red stripes on the abdomen they have metallic green chelicerae. Males once mature have a blood red abdomen and black and white stripey legs.

Scientific Name: Phidippus ardens
Common Name: Widow Jumping Spider
Lifestyle: Arboreal
Endemic Location: USA
Adult Diagonal Leg Span (DLS): 3cm
Growth Rate: Fast
Life Expectancy: 2 – 3 years
Recommended Experience Level: Starter