These two species are common jumping spiders in suburban gardens and parks. S. thoracica probably the more common of the two, female body length about 6 mm, male about 5 mm. S. tenuidens may be a little larger and longer (about 7-8mm both males and females according to Hawkeswood) and have less distinct abdominal markings but these are variable. To reliably tell them apart one would have to consult the Zabka and Davies drawings reproduced online in Jerzy Proszynski's Salticid pages. The golden scales on Simaetha spp. are often rubbed off in larger specimens, through wear and tear. Below some photos show a very golden S. thoracica, apparently young and in very good condition. Another Simaetha species are similar to the smaller Simaethula spp. Apart from being smaller, Simaethula's posterior lateral eyes are further back on the carapace, they have no abdominal banding and are generally more golden.
- Another specimen, more golden, from above
- Face on
- Abdominal banding
- Juvenile, 2.5mm body length
- Old bald spider, lost its scales, from side
- Spider on egg sac in nest
- Spider on egg sac, closeup
- Another egg sac
- Spiderlings
- The female side on
- The female face on
- Female 8mm distinct abdominal markings, from above
- Female from above, facing left
- Female from above, facing right
- Female from above, facing the camera
- Nest in melaleuca
- Spiderling
- Female facing
- Female from above
- Spiderling
- Female facing up
- Young spider moulting
- Young spider moulting
- Young spider moulting
- Young spider moulting
- Female adult GJA5421
- Simaetha thoracica Brown Lake 280810 facing
- Simaetha thoracica Brown Lake 280810 from above
- Simaetha thoracica Brown Lake 280810 facing
- References
Another specimen, more golden, from above
5mm body length.
Face on
Abdominal banding
Juvenile, 2.5mm body length
Old bald spider, lost its scales, from side
Spider on egg sac in nest
Spider on egg sac, closeup
Another egg sac
Spiderlings
The female side on
This was the female on the 2nd egg sac shown above.
The female face on
Female 8mm distinct abdominal markings, from above
This specimen was shaken from a Westringia sp in 2009.
Female from above, facing left
Female from above, facing right
Female from above, facing the camera
Nest in melaleuca
This nest is on the fringe of a dying Tea-Tree which accounts for the gathering and use of dead leaves to help establish the nest structure. These are often made in live leaves.
Spiderling
Female facing
Female from above
Spiderling
Female facing up
Young spider moulting
Young spider moulting
Young spider moulting
Young spider moulting
Female adult GJA5421
Simaetha thoracica Brown Lake 280810 facing
Simaetha thoracica Brown Lake 280810 from above
Simaetha thoracica Brown Lake 280810 facing
References
- Salticidae: Diagnostic Drawings Library by Jerzy Proszynski - Genus Simaetha Thorell, 1881
- http://salticidae.org/salticid/main.htm - Salticidae (Araneae) of the World compiled by Jerzy Proszynski
