Jumping spider (Phidippus audax)

Photomacrograph of the head of a jumping spider (Phidippus audax). Jumping spiders (Salticidae) have 8 eyes, 4 of which are arranged in a row on the front or 'face' of the spider as seen here. The central pair of eyes are much larger in size. Unlike most other insect eyes, these are simple eyes and not compound eyes. Jumping spiders have very good eyesight which they rely on to hunt and find a mate and as a result they are usually most active during the day. They don't make webs out of silk to catch their prey but instead stalk them and then jump on them from far away. The spider's jaws (chelicerae) are also visible here (iridescent green). Phidippus audax is commonly found across North America. Width of image is 1.5 cm.