Bronze Jumping Spider

Appearance

The cephalothorax is one physical characteristic that shows differences between the male and females appearances. The female's cephalothorax are lighter in color compared to the male's, with a darker cephalothorax. The females abdomen are a bit darker with multiple white spots located dorsally. Males have a lighter abdomen and a darker cephalothorax, each with white bands along the sides. These white bands are absent on the females cephalothorax but present on their abdomen. On the males, the fang-like features, known as chelicerae, are long and located at the front of their cephalothorax.

The length of males ranges from 4.7 to 6.7 millimeters, while the females can span from 6 to 8 millimeters in length.

Distribution

"Eris militaris" can be found within the United States and Canada. They're commonly found in autumn walking inside or outside of buildings. They can be found in hidden areas, such as blackberry bushes, where the leaves overlap and create small shelters.

Behavior

From the autumn to winter season, they can be found together in groups and beneath surfaces, such as dead wood. In locations like this, they are easily camouflaged due to their bronze, tan, brown coloration.

After consuming prey, they groom themselves. Often grooming their chelicerae and rubbing them on their pedipalps. Grooming also appears during periods of rest, such as in a hidden spot within vegetation or within its shelter.

Male "Eris militaris" participate in a dance in an attempt to win over a potential mate. This dance consists of the male lifting its forelegs outward and occasionally stepping side to side while its forelegs move consistently.

Food

Jumping spider diets consist of small insects such as grasshoppers, moths, flies, or other spiders. They can eat almost anything that their chelicerae can hold. Other prey includes fruit flies, bees, wasps, crickets, worms, butterflies, or leafhoppers.