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Saiticus scenicus, The zebra back spider.
Female length 5mm to 9mm, Male 5mm to 6mm in length.
This species is very common and widespread across Great Britain, Europe, North America and also found throughout the Holarctic region.
Habitat…. They are most commonly found close or in human settlements, on most upright structures. These include walls, fences, plants. In some of the images below you can see the female Zebra back spider with prey on a metal railing, warmed by the sun.
Zebra spiders tend to hunt smaller spiders and similar insects including mosquitos up to twice their size. They have also been observed taking on prey items up to 3 times the length of themselves, such as some of the smaller species of moth.
Like other jumping spiders they do not build a web and use their large front eyes to locate and stalk their prey. (The Zebra back spider has eight eyes including the very large median eyes responsible for its excellent binocular vision). They move slowly towards their prey until they are close enough to pounce on top of their victim, their hunting behaviour has been described as cat-like. Using their acute eyesight, they are able to accurately judge the distances they need to jump; jumping up to a distance of 2.6ft to capture their prey. Prior to jumping they glue a silk thread to the surface that they are jumping from so that if they miss the target, they can climb up the thread and try again. They disregard unappetising insects such as ants.
Before mating the male carries out a courtship dance involving waving his front legs and moving his abdomen up and down. If his dance is to the female’s approval he will have a good chance to mate with her. The female will stay with her egg sacs and will continue to guard the young after they hatch. After the spiderlings have had their second moult they will leave the mother and fend for themselves.
The images below are of the female Saiticus scenicus
Read MoreFemale length 5mm to 9mm, Male 5mm to 6mm in length.
This species is very common and widespread across Great Britain, Europe, North America and also found throughout the Holarctic region.
Habitat…. They are most commonly found close or in human settlements, on most upright structures. These include walls, fences, plants. In some of the images below you can see the female Zebra back spider with prey on a metal railing, warmed by the sun.
Zebra spiders tend to hunt smaller spiders and similar insects including mosquitos up to twice their size. They have also been observed taking on prey items up to 3 times the length of themselves, such as some of the smaller species of moth.
Like other jumping spiders they do not build a web and use their large front eyes to locate and stalk their prey. (The Zebra back spider has eight eyes including the very large median eyes responsible for its excellent binocular vision). They move slowly towards their prey until they are close enough to pounce on top of their victim, their hunting behaviour has been described as cat-like. Using their acute eyesight, they are able to accurately judge the distances they need to jump; jumping up to a distance of 2.6ft to capture their prey. Prior to jumping they glue a silk thread to the surface that they are jumping from so that if they miss the target, they can climb up the thread and try again. They disregard unappetising insects such as ants.
Before mating the male carries out a courtship dance involving waving his front legs and moving his abdomen up and down. If his dance is to the female’s approval he will have a good chance to mate with her. The female will stay with her egg sacs and will continue to guard the young after they hatch. After the spiderlings have had their second moult they will leave the mother and fend for themselves.
The images below are of the female Saiticus scenicus
