Meet the Peacock spider - this 5mm Long showoff; raises his abdomen vertically, expands his flaps and displays them like a peacock's tail. But the brilliant colouring is not just for decoration.
The Peacock Spider
The peacock spider earns its name when he courts a potential mate and (Maratus volans) is a native species of Australian jumping spider. It is only the males that have this bright colouring, the females are rather a dull grey. During this Tail display, the male will vibrate his raised legs and tail, while dancing from one side to one another in an attempt to impress the female.
Once the dance is over the abdomen flaps are folded down close against the sides of the body, like a shawl. The little spider has excellent eyesight but with four eyes it can detect prey 20 cm away, considering its size this is quite a feat. Our little friend has many names: flying spider, gliding spider, and the preferred name peacock spider.
Although having volans in its name suggest the spider can fly, but it actually doesn’t use its flaps to extend the distance of its jump. After mating, the male repeats the performance and dance with other females. (I’m sure there is an Australian joke here – better not, family show)
This post was updated on the 16 June 2017
Recent Posts
Blog Categories
Blog archives
- October 2024 (1)
- September 2024 (8)
- June 2024 (4)
- May 2024 (2)
- April 2024 (2)
- March 2024 (13)
- February 2024 (3)
- January 2024 (5)
- December 2023 (6)
- November 2023 (4)
- October 2023 (11)
- September 2023 (2)
- August 2023 (6)
- July 2023 (2)
- June 2023 (17)
- May 2023 (3)
- April 2023 (5)
- March 2023 (8)
- February 2023 (9)
- January 2023 (12)
- December 2022 (9)
- November 2022 (12)
- October 2022 (12)
- September 2022 (12)
- August 2022 (6)
- July 2022 (9)
- June 2022 (7)
- May 2022 (3)
- April 2022 (4)
- March 2022 (6)
- February 2022 (1)
- January 2022 (4)
- December 2021 (2)
- November 2021 (3)
- October 2021 (1)
- September 2021 (4)
- August 2021 (10)
- July 2021 (13)
- June 2021 (6)
- April 2021 (2)
- March 2021 (2)
- February 2021 (1)
- January 2021 (1)
- December 2020 (2)
- November 2020 (3)
- October 2020 (2)
- September 2020 (1)
- August 2020 (1)
- July 2020 (1)
- June 2020 (1)
- May 2020 (1)
- April 2020 (1)
- March 2020 (1)
- February 2020 (2)
- January 2020 (4)
- December 2019 (2)
- November 2019 (1)
- October 2019 (1)
- September 2019 (5)
- August 2019 (1)
- July 2019 (5)
- June 2019 (1)
- May 2019 (1)
- April 2019 (1)
- March 2019 (1)
- February 2019 (1)
- January 2019 (1)
- December 2018 (1)
- October 2018 (1)
- May 2018 (1)
- February 2018 (1)
- December 2017 (1)
- October 2017 (1)
- June 2017 (1)
- May 2017 (1)
- February 2017 (1)
- January 2017 (1)
- September 2016 (1)
- August 2016 (2)
- July 2016 (1)
- June 2016 (1)
- May 2016 (1)
- April 2016 (1)
- December 2015 (1)