"The Jumping Spiders" (Salticidae spp.)

Members of this family have their eyes in three rows. The four eyes of the first row are usually very large. The third row, which has two eyes, is about halfway back on the thorax and the eyes are moderately large. The second row, which has two eyes which are often quite small, is located about midway between the first and third rows. Jumping spiders are compact in shape with relatively short legs. They are hunting spiders that are capable of jumping from a few inches up to 6 inches in one leap, depending upon the species. Phidippus audax and other members of this genus often stray into dwellings. P. audax is found in most of the United States and P. johnsoni is found in the West. Both have red or white markings on the dorsal surface of the abdomen. Metacyba undata is commonly carried into houses on firewood. It measures about 1/2 inch in body length. Salticus scenicus, the Zebra spider, is about 1/4 inch in body length with white stripes and blackish brown background. They are common on the walls of houses. Because most jumping spiders have colorful markings, many people fear they are black widows. Actually, they are beneficial because they pounce on flies and other insects.