T.E.R:R.A.I.N - Taranaki Educational Resource: Research, Analysis and Information Network


Spider Jumping (Black Headed)(Trite planiceps)

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Family: Salticidae
Subfamily: Amycinae
Tribe: Astiini
Scientific name: Trite planiceps
Common name: Black-Headed jumping spider

Black–headed jumping spider is a small spider, body length about 10 mm and is one of several native species and are active hunting spiders which have acute eyesight and intricate vision guided prey-capture behaviour. They pounce on prey from a few centimetres away. These spiders use silk as a dragline when hunting. It is harmless to humans. The Salticids is the largest family of spiders.

Jumping Spider Information
There are more than 150 species of jumping spiders are thought to live in New Zealand, with most of them yet to be described and classified by scientists. These spiders are small to medium-sized, with most having bodies less than a centimetre long. With so many species, this family includes quite a range of colour schemes. Jumping spiders are readily identified by the presence of a very large pair of eyes right at the front of the cephalothorax (the combined head and thorax).Jumping spiders have the keenest eyesight of all spiders, with eyes that are capable of forming images. Jumping spiders are readily identified by the presence of a very large pair of eyes right at the front of the cephalothorax (the combined head and thorax).This excellent eyesight is important as jumping spiders actively hunt their prey during daylight. As their name suggests, jumping spiders are capable of leaping large distances when they pounce on their prey. Most New Zealand jumping spiders are patterned in shades of brown, black, grey and white and can be between 2-10 mm in length. Males are often bright-coloured and can be recognised by their enlarged front legs, which they use in mating displays. Jumping spiders are most commonly seen in warm, sunny spots such as on concrete paths, stones or fences.
More detail information at http://zipcodezoo.com/Key/Animalia/Salticidae_Family.asp




A trite jumping spider with a green strip on body istead of the usual yellow one