Oxyopes scalaris
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adult female, live; dorsal view |
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adult male, live; face view |
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adult male, live; dorsal view |
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female genitalia; epigynum |
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male genitalia; palp, lateral view |
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male genitalia; palp, ventral view |
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grape size comparison with adult spiders; male (left), female (right) |
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diagnostic feature; hexagonal eye pattern |
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diagnostic feature; hexagonal eye pattern |
Current valid name
Oxyopes scalaris Hentz (family Oxyopidae)
Recognition and diagnostic features
Six of its eyes in hexagon pattern on top of the cephalic region with remaining 2 smaller eyes anterior. Many leg spines perpendicular to leg. Body coloration should be sufficient for identification. Can be confused with Oxyopes salticus, might be confused with jumping spiders because of compact body form, might be confused with Mimetus hesperus due to large number of leg spines.
Related or similar species
Oxyopes salticus, Mimetus hesperus, jumping spiders
Spider
Body lengths when mature: male: 5.5 mm range (4.7 - 6.1), female: 6.9 mm (range 5.8 - 9.6)
Immatures resemble miniature adults.
Egg sac
Description: fastened to several pieces of foliage with silk lines
Number of eggs per sac: Brady (1964) lists one egg sac with 45 eggs
Distribution
In California: throughout state
Elsewhere: predominantly Rocky Mountains westward with scattered finds throughout the eastern half of the U.S.
Native to North America
This species has not been transported or become established outside of its range.
Biology
Diurnal hunting spider with good vision and will respond to human movement. Matures collected in March to May.
Status in table grapes
Level of Incidence: moderately common
Level of Concern in New Zealand: WPNZ (May 2010) nr, BORIC (Dec 2011) nr (not listed), MAF-BPRA (2002) nr (coding definition)
Level of Concern in Australia: WPAU (2006) nr (coding definition)
Level of Medical importance: none
Common name
Western lynx spider for species, lynx spiders for family
Taxonomic history
Stable
Selected references
Brady, A. R. 1964. The lynx spiders of North America, north of Mexico (Araneae: Oxyopidae). Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. 131: 431-518.
