Australian Bronze Jumper: Helpis minitabunda

Location: Bunbury, Western Australia

Season: Summer, February

Class: Arachnida 

Order: Araneae 

Suborder: Araneomorphae 

Family: Salticidae

Helpis minitabunda

Aussie Bronze Jumping Spider is common in gardens of Australia. It is known to be found in the East Coast. This spider is a common resident of my West Coast garden. I have spotted it on numerous occasions over different seasons. It is found hiding in the foliage, usually on the underside of a leaf. It is brown-bronze in colour. The flat cephalothorax has 4 pairs of eyes are arranged in a circular fashion. The tapering abdomen has varying patterns. Legs have white rings around the metatarsal joints. It is an alert and active spider and an agile jumper. 

Striped Jumping Spider: Telamonia dimidiata

Location: Bangalore, India

Season: Early Winter, November

Class: Arachnida 

Order: Araneae 

Suborder: Araneomorphae 

Family: Salticidae

Telamonia dimidiata

This spider was the subject of an online hoax where it was rumoured to be deadly due to its poisonous bite. Striped Jumping Spider is non venomous and is not dangerous to humans. It is often found on green foliage, easily recognisable by the striped abdomen. The above pictured is a female which has a lighter coloured body with light brown rings around the black eyes.