Zebra spider

Zebra Jumping Spider ( Salticus scenicus ) with prey

The Zebra Jumping Spider ( Salticus scenicus ), also called harlequin jumping spider is a spider, which belongs to the family of jumping spiders ( Salticidae ). Because of their unusual and widespread notoriety the zebra jumping spider from the Arachnologischen Society ( AraGes ) to the spider of the year 2005 was chosen.

Features

Owes its name to the Zebra jumping spider on the one hand the hopping locomotion and on the other their black-and- white drawing, reminiscent of a zebra. This is caused by light and dark colored dandruff hair. Salticus scenicus can be clearly distinguished from the other Central European species of the genus Salticus. Only she has on the front body ( prosoma ) a white spot pair and on the abdomen ( opisthosoma ) three broad, dark transverse bands. Older zebra jumping spiders are usually darker because the shed hairs rub off over time and the darker base color emerges.

The irregularly spotted legs of the animals, as compared with other spiders, relatively short, which the zebra jumping spiders appear stocky. You can reach body lengths of four to seven millimeters, whereas the females are usually larger than the males. The distinguishing feature of the males are very long, directed obliquely forward chelicerae.

Another striking feature of Zebra Jumping Spider are the two large front eyes, as it is typical for jumping spider species. In addition to these another pair of eyes directed forward. Four other eyes are on the sides of the front body. Due to this arrangement, the Zebra jumping spider can also see the rear. Zebra jumping spider can see better at close range than is possible with the human eye. Unlike other spiders that are dependent on palpation of shocks or detecting movement seen jumping spiders and dead insects as food.

Hunting methods and nutrition

When hunting the zebra jumping spider slowly approaches to an insect, and skips from a distance of up to five centimeters on the prey and kills it with a poisonous bite. Until the effect of the poison used keeps the insect firmly with her strong legs. Before jumping, the zebra jumping spider secures with a thread so that it can not crash and return to the starting point after a failed jump.

The jump

To skip the third and fourth pair of legs is stretched jerky. The extension does not take place, as with all spiders by muscle tension, because the walking legs have no extensor muscles, but is based on a sudden increase in the Hämolymphdrucks and thus represents rather a hydraulic principle Represents the prey is seized and slowed down the landing with the first two pairs of legs. The jumps over distances of up to about twenty times their own body length are very precise, which is why jumping spiders for very bionics are of interest in the development of techniques by which the precision of hydraulic systems can be improved.

Occurrence

In Europe, northern Asia and North America, this species is very common. In the vicinity of the human species is often found on walls or fences. They preferred sun-exposed, windless areas. The natural habitat of the zebra jumping spider are stony dry grasslands.

Toxicity

The venom of Zebra Jumping Spider acts very quickly in insects. For humans, the animals, however, are absolutely harmless.