Paraphidippus aurantius Golden Jumping Spider

Description

The Paraphidippus aurantius Golden Jumping Spider rivals the Apache Jumping Spider as a candidate for most beautiful US jumping spider.

Available as 4th to 5th instar spiderlings. They are currently feeding on D. melanogaster fruit flies with no issue. We make this information plainly available so that you know what to feed your new pet and are prepared for their size. Please review our Jumping Spider Care sheet here before you purchase.

Please note that they are much too young to determine the sex on.

Both males and females are striking in their coloration. The word “aurantius” pretty much means orange, but some sources indicate it also refers to “golden.” Females of the species often have some or a lot of orange on them and green. Sometimes the green is very green and sometimes it is a golden green, which gives this spider its common name, the Golden Jumping Spider. You may see some lists refer to them as emerald jumping spiders but that is out of line with INaturalist.org and we all need some agreement on these topics. The metallic backs and heads of females reflect all sorts of different colors, depending on the light, and not limited to greens and golden coloration. Of course, there is variation from specimen to specimens and many females have attractive black and white blotching along the perimeters of the abdomens. Up to 11 white spots may be present on the dorsal surface of the abdomen, surrounded by metallic green.

Males are thinner and darker, but extremely attractive in their own right. Their abdomens also reflect metallic green tones and exhibit white spots. Their heads reflect some metallic green as well and have a white line at each side of the cephalothorax that offsets the greens in a striking way.

This is a brilliant species, and I would not even begin to begrudge anybody for saying they are the most beautiful US spider!

The prettiest US jumper? You can see photos of them at iNaturalist through THIS LINK

 

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