Description
Description
#Fragile
#Sexual dimorphism
Phidippus regius, known commonly as the regal jumping spider, is a species of jumping spider in eastern North America. P. regius occurs in the southeastern United States and the West Indies, and has been introduced to Easter Island. In the United States, it occurs throughout the Southeast from Texas through West Virginia and Virginia. It is most common on the Florida peninsula. Adult males range from 6 to 18 mm (0.24–0.71 in) in body length and average 12 mm (0.47 in). Females range from 7 to 22 mm (0.28–0.87 in) and average 15 mm (0.59 in). P. octopunctatus from western North America reaches a larger size.
Males and females are easily differentiated. The males are always black with a pattern of white spots and stripes. Females often bear similar patterns to the males, but range in color from shades of gray to a vivid orange. The three spots on the back of the spider's abdomen often resemble a smiling face. Towards the end of the abdomen, there are usually two small round spots while there is a larger, triangle-shaped one closer to the cephalothorax, that looks like a mouth.
Phidippus regius is not a medically significant spider and is generally considered hesitant to bite. While bites occasionally occur, symptoms are mostly limited to some local swelling and pain.