Zygoballus nervosus (Peckham & Peckham, 1888) - Jumping Spider


NA Range Map
Salticidae of North America
Richman, Cutler & Hill 2012

Arachnologists traditionally identify jumping spiders in the lab with the aid of a microscope. Naturalists, on the other hand, are more at home with field identification and less likely to be interested in the microscopic minutia of jumping spider genitalia. And while more than a few salticid species can be positively identified in the field, many more can be identified in the hand. "In-hand" identification, however, also presents some challenges. If you are "collecting" macro images (still or video) this in itself will greatly increase the number of IDs you will make. But you may also want to capture and release at least some spiders in order to increase your confidence and accuracy. Catching jumpers can be as uncomplicated as carrying several small vials to have ready when you are close (and fast . . . ) enough to place the vial over the salticid. Add to your collection of vials a high quality loupe and you are in business. A sweep net and/or beating sheet will add to your productivity and likely turn up species you may otherwise overlook. Assuming you have an unknown jumper in hand, take a look at Edwards and Hill, "Representatives of the North American salticid fauna, revisited." When you have a likely candidate check the range in Richman, Cutler, and Hill's "Salticids of North America." Finally, do a search of BugGuide pages (bugguide.net) where you can access multiple images of most species. Still puzzled? Post to BugGuide for identification help. BioQuip stocks vials and other collecting supplies; BelOMO loupes are among the best.
Edwards and Hill, 2008; Richman, Cutler, and Hill 2012; BugGuide:Family Salticidae


Massachusetts - First State / County Records

MA County Map
  • ♦ J. H. Emerton - Z. terrestris - Suffolk (Boston), Middlesex (Cambridge) - Emerton, 1891: 231, pl. 17, f. 5
  • ♦ *BSNH - Z. t. - Norfolk (Blue Hills) - Bryant, 1908: 104
  • ♦ T. Murray - Z. nervosus - Worcester (Harvard), March 2004 - BugGuide node 15116
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  • ♦ Connecticut - Z. n. - Kaston, 1948: 497, 12 records
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  • *See Bryant, 1908
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Z. nervosus