Naphrys pulex (Hentz, 1846)
Naphrys pulex: https://mail.marylandbiodiversity.org/species/6479
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Source: Wikipedia

Flea jumping spider
Female
Male
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Salticidae
Genus: Naphrys
Species:
N. pulex
Binomial name
Naphrys pulex
(Hentz, 1846)[1]
Synonyms[1]
  • Attus pulex Hentz, 1846
  • Cyrba pulex (Hentz, 1846)
  • Euophrys offuscata C. L. Koch, 1846
  • Habrocestum pulex (Hentz, 1846)
  • Saitis pulex (Hentz, 1846)
  • Saitis x-notata Keyserling, 1885

Naphrys pulex is a species of spider from the family Salticidae that is native to Canada and the United States.[1]

Taxonomy

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The species was first described as Attus pulex by Nicholas Marcellus Hentz in 1846. It was later placed in a number of other genera, including Habrocestum, until a review of that genus in 1981 placed it in Naphrys.[1][2]

Description

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Males have a total length of around 4 mm (0.2 in) of which the carapace makes up about 2 mm (0.08 in). The fourth leg is longest, followed by the third, first and second. The general coloration is described as "cryptic". There is a yellowish bar-shaped mark on the abdomen. The legs have spots and rings. Females are longer than males, with a total length of 4.6 to 6.1 mm (0.18 to 0.24 in), with a carapace 2.0 to 2.4 mm (0.08 to 0.09 in) long. Females have a similar coloration to males, but less distinct. The larger size and the shape of the male palpal bulb distinguish this species from others, such as Naphrys acerba.[2]

Distribution and habitat

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Naphrys pulex is native to Canada and the United States,[1] where it is found mainly in the east. It has been observed on walls, grass and litter, on the ground, and on tree trunks.[2]

Ecology

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Naphrys pulex feeds mainly on ants.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Naphrys pulex (Hentz, 1846)". World Spider Catalog. Natural History Museum Bern. Retrieved 2026-03-19.
  2. ^ a b c Richman, D. B. (1981). "A revision of the genus Habrocestum (Araneae, Salticidae) in North America" (PDF). Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 170: 197–206. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  3. ^ Hill, David E.; Richman, David B. (2009). "The evolution of jumping spiders (Araneae: Salticidae): a review". Peckhamia. 75.1: 1–7. Retrieved 2026-03-20.