Flea Jumping Spider: How to Identify


The Flea jumping spider (Naphrys pulex) is a widely-distributed spider of the Salticidae family, native to Canada and America, and has been dubbed a separate species by entomologists.

Flea jumping spider
Absolutely adorable, tiny little Naphrys pulex jumping spider holding his pedipalps up. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com/Sari Oneal

Flea Jumping spider: Description

Male Flea jumping spiders present an eye-catching sight, with their cephalothorax and abdomen boasting a stunning pattern of gray and black mottling, complemented by vibrant orange coloring around the sides.

Flea Jumping spider: Behavior.

You can spot the Flea jumping spider in tall grasslands and woody regions and frequently in mesic hardwood forests with much leaf litter. Finding this species near structures, tree bark, or outcrops is also possible! No bigger than 5.5mm—some even smaller than a dime (this being the largest of all four North American Naphrys)—these spiders feed mainly on insects and other arthropods.

In the realm of jumping spider courting, there remains a plethora of untapped opportunities for exploration. For example, barely any studies have documented female behavior during courtship, yet some species, such as the Flea jumping spider, demonstrate that females actively participate in the display.

With so much undiscovered knowledge still to uncover, we could be on our way to understanding more than ever before about this fascinating topic!

Further recommended reading about spiders.

Spider pages: Learn how to identify and avoid these spiders.

Tiger wolf spider.

Cross orb-weaver spider.

Hump-backed orb weaver.

Triangulate cobweb spider.

Carolina wolf spiders.

Striped fishing spiders.

White-Jawed jumping spiders.

Black lace-weaver spiders.

Black Spiders: How to identify them.

Long-Palped ant-mimic sac spider.

Peppered jumping spiders.

Spotted ground swift spider.

Spinybacked orb weavers.

Parson spiders.

White spiders.

Striped spider in the U.S.

How long do spiders live?

Spider anatomy 101.

The most venomous spiders in the world.

Zebra spiders.

Furrow orb weaver spider.

Marbled orb weaver spiders.

Red house spider identification.

Purse web spider.

Crab spider: How to identify.

Orb weaver Spiders: How to identify and get rid of them.

Common house spiders: How to Identify and get rid of them.

Dark fishing spiders.

Six-Eyed Sand Spider: Is the White Sand Spider Dangerous?

10 biggest spiders in the world.

The Red widow spider

Giant Huntsman Spider: How to Identify the Largest Spider

Brazilian salmon pink bird-eating tarantula

Brazilian Giant Tawny Red Tarantula

Colombian Giant Redleg Tarantula

Cerbalus Aravaensis: Middle East’s Largest Spider

Camel spiders: Myths and Facts.

Net-casting spiders: How to identify these spiders.

White-tailed spider: How to identify and manage.

Katipo Spider: How to identify New Zealand’s venomous spider

Brown widow spider: How to identify and avoid the false widow.

Redback spiders how to identify them and prevent bites

Funnel weaver spiders vs funnel-web

Cellar spiders how to identify and get rid of them

How to identify the wolf spider

How to identify the hobo spider

Brazilian wandering spider how to identify and avoid

Huntsman spider how to identify the eight legged freak

Jumping spiders how to identify these harmless hunters

Black widow spiders how to identify and avoid

Tarantulas appearance diet and mating

Do tarantulas bite?

Brown recluse spiders how to identify and avoid

Dennis V. Gilmore Jr.

Dennis V. Gilmore Jr. is a former Marine Sergeant and the author of several books, including two on night hunting coyotes and red and gray fox. He has written several hundred articles on predator hunting for ThePredatorHunter.com.

Recent Posts