Beth_Kin
Female Maratus pavonis jumping spider
This little lady was on our compost bin in the back yard, an ideal place to catch some of the many little insects from the vents of the bin. Also attracted were two male M pavonis jumping spiders, and they were not really interested in the food source, but definitely interested in this female!
Both males vied for her attention and tried to hunt one another away from her.Eventually one of them gave up. The stayer had a marathon courting session, chasing after this little lady for about 40 minutes! She would tease him by waggling her abdomen from side to side whenever he lagged behind, then as he would approach again with third legs waving and abdomen raised with flaps out to impress her, she would dart off again!
Closing in, the male made little dancing sidesteps around her in a circle until he was head to head with her, and then....carefully moved forward and clasped her to him.
Female Maratus pavonis jumping spider
This little lady was on our compost bin in the back yard, an ideal place to catch some of the many little insects from the vents of the bin. Also attracted were two male M pavonis jumping spiders, and they were not really interested in the food source, but definitely interested in this female!
Both males vied for her attention and tried to hunt one another away from her.Eventually one of them gave up. The stayer had a marathon courting session, chasing after this little lady for about 40 minutes! She would tease him by waggling her abdomen from side to side whenever he lagged behind, then as he would approach again with third legs waving and abdomen raised with flaps out to impress her, she would dart off again!
Closing in, the male made little dancing sidesteps around her in a circle until he was head to head with her, and then....carefully moved forward and clasped her to him.