Colonus Hesperus
ExploreInvertebrate
Colonus Hesperus
colonus hesperus
Colonus hesperus, commonly known as the western colonus jumping spider, is a small, charismatic member of the jumping spider family Salticidae native to North America. Known for their curiosity and active, daytime hunting strategies, these spiders do not spin webs to catch prey but instead rely on their outstanding vision and remarkable leaping ability. They are frequently observed exploring foliage, low vegetation, and sunny surfaces in search of small insects. With their highly expressive, large forward-facing eyes, they possess a level of situational awareness that often makes them appear to watch human observers, a trait that makes them highly endearing to nature enthusiasts and arachnologists alike. For quick identification of Colonus Hesperus during outdoor trips, download the Snappit app.
Habitat: Typically found in open grassy fields, oak woodlands, gardens, and low-lying shrubs across the western United States and Mexico.
Appearance
This minute spider typically measures between 5 to 10 millimeters in length, featuring a compact, athletic body characteristic of jumping spiders. Its coloration is generally a mixture of tan, pale yellow, and brown, with distinct darker markings or stripes on the abdomen and a somewhat pale or translucent appearance on its legs. Females are typically larger and more robustly built, while males often exhibit more pronounced coloration and longer front legs used in courtship displays. The most prominent identification feature is their arrangement of eight eyes, with the two central anterior eyes being exceptionally large, giving them an inquisitive, headlight-like appearance.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassArachnidaOrderAraneaeFamilySalticidaeGenusColonus
Category
InvertebrateRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Male jumping spiders perform complex dances, waving their pedipalps and front legs, to convince females they are mates rather than a potential meal.
They possess a unique retina-shifting ability where they can move their inner eyes to track objects without moving their external lens or head.
Unlike web-building spiders, Colonus hesperus relies on its incredible 360-degree vision to track and stalk prey from several inches away.
Special abilities
Ability
Hydraulic Jump Propulsion
By suddenly increasing the fluid pressure in their legs, they can leap up to 40 times their body length without needing muscular legs.
Ability
High Resolution Vision
Their massive primary eyes function like telephoto lenses, providing exceptional spatial resolution and color vision to track prey.
Ability
Safety Line Silk
Before attempting any leap, they anchor a dragline of silk to their starting point, ensuring they can climb back up if they miss.
Diet & Feeding
An active predator that hunts small insects and other spiders by stalking them closely before executing a precise leap.
Age differences: Spiderlings feed on smaller soft-bodied insects like fruit flies, graduating to larger insects as they mature.
Primary Foods
- Fruit flies
- Aphids
- Leafhoppers
- Small caterpillars
- Gnats
Foraging Method
- Pursuit
Ecological connections
hunts
Green Peach Aphid
Myzus persicae
Preys upon common agricultural pests found in the same foliage.
eaten by
Black and Yellow Mud Dauber
Sceliphron caementarium
A frequent predator of small jumping spiders, hunting them around vegetation.
competitor
Bold Jumping Spider
Phidippus audax
Competes for the same small insect prey in grassland habitats.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Colonus Hesperus?
The easiest way to identify Colonus Hesperus is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
What does Colonus Hesperus eat?
An active predator that hunts small insects and other spiders by stalking them closely before executing a precise leap.
Where is Colonus Hesperus usually found?
Typically found in open grassy fields, oak woodlands, gardens, and low-lying shrubs across the western United States and Mexico.
How does Colonus Hesperus hunt?
Pursuit
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