Spider Jumping (Bronze Aussie)(Helpis minitabunda)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Family: Salticidae
Subfamily: Amycinae
Tribe: Astiini
Genus: Helpis
Species: Helpis minitabunda
Common name: Bronze Aussie Jumper
Helpis minitabunda is another species of Jumping Spider. It is from east Australia and was first seen in New Zealand in1972 but is now common in the North Island. It has a slender body which is light brown in colour. They hunt by jumping on small insects. They need very good eyesight to do this hence the very large front pair of eyes and their head moves.. The males are larger than the females. This is quite an exceptional case in the world of spiders which usually males are smaller. The male of this species will protect the nest while the female is inside the nest.
The photos below are of a female spider (8mm). The males are (10mm in length) and their front legs are far longer than the females and have a white ring on them.
A feeding Helpis minitabunda
Photo showing the distinctive spots on legs
Just starting to weave a retreat
Retreat of Helpis minitabunda,Bronze Aussie Jumper spider
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