''Helpis minitabunda'' is a

jumping spider Jumping spiders are a group of spiders that constitute the family (biology), family Salticidae. , this family contained over 600 species description, described genus, genera and over 6,000 described species, making it the largest family of spide ...

. A widespread species in the east and south east of

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

New Zealand New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...

, and in

Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea, officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is an island country in Oceania that comprises the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and offshore islands in Melanesia, a region of the southwestern Pacific Ocean n ...

, usually found on foliage in moist areas.

Etymology and common names

Common names include threatening jumping spider and bronze jumping spider. The specific epithet ''minitabunda'' is derived from Latin, meaning "threatening". The male may show fearless or threatening behaviour when approached.

Appearance

Unusually for spiders, the male is larger than the female. Male body length to 10 mm, females to 8 mm. The front two pairs of legs are particularly long. The male head has a flat topped

caput A head is the part of an organism which usually includes the ears, brain, forehead, cheeks, chin, eyes, nose, and mouth, each of which aid in various sensory functions such as sight, hearing, smell, and taste. Some very simple animals may not ...

covered with creamy white hairs. Below are large protruding

chelicerae The chelicerae () are the arthropod mouthparts, mouthparts of the subphylum Chelicerata, an arthropod group that includes arachnids, horseshoe crabs, and sea spiders. Commonly referred to as "jaws", chelicerae may be shaped as either articulated ...

. The demeanor of the female is more cryptic than the male.

Distribution

These are common in Australia. They can hunt fast. They even hunt other spiders. The pre-mating courtship dance between male and female may last from two to three hours.'' Helpis minitabunda'' is an invasive species in

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2794713 Salticidae Spiders of Australia Spiders described in 1880 Spiders of New Zealand