Another fancy bug from Florida… This magnolia green jumper (Salticidae: Lyssomanes viridis) was more concerned with crunching some tasty red morsel into a pulp than with running away from my lens, so I managed some decent shots:
There’s something a little spooky about those two pale green eyes in front.
This species is found throughout the southeastern US, and recent BugGuide records show its range has expanded at least as far north as New Jersey.
Great photos. We have these guys here in NC too.
Thanks. Yes, I should have mentioned that like the last Florida bug I posted, this one is widely distributed in the southeastern US. According to one source, NC is the northern limit, but these have recently been found as far north as NJ (see BugGuide map).
Beautiful!
The real ID trick though would be the “red pulp”. 🙂
Nice photos of one of my favorite jumpers. If the pale green anterior eyes creep you out , the next time you find one of these guys try to get a close-up face shot. If lighting is bright enough to show through the thin translucent prosoma (head) you may notice one or the other eyes color sweep back and forth from green to black.
Salticids can scan subjects in front of them by moving the rear of the lens causing a sideways scanning motion. I have images showing this function.
Very neat!