Two-striped Jumping Spider (Telamonia dimidiata)

What Are Two-striped Jumping Spiders?

Two-striped Jumping Spiders, also known by their scientific name Telamonia dimidiata, belong to the Salticidae family.

These spiders are characterized by their dual-colored body fur, which gave rise to their common name.

They can be found across Europe and in other parts of the world, including the United States.

What Do Two-striped Jumping Spiders Look Like?

Two-Striped Jumping spiders have short, slender bodies and a unique double-stripe pattern that runs lengthwise down their abdomens.

They are white or light tan in color and come in a variety of patterns and shades.

Adults measure up to 10mm long with females growing slightly larger at about 11mm long.

Both genders feature compact heads, four pairs of eyes, and eight legs.

They also have a pair of white-tipped pedipalps, which are located near the mouth.

They have powerful hind legs that are used for jumping, hence their name.

A male two-striped jumping spider will typically have more vibrant coloration than females and can be distinguished by their smaller size.

Benefits Of Using Two-striped Jumping Spiders

Telamonia dimidiata are ideal for vivariums because of their small size and fast, entertaining movements.

These spiders add a unique touch of liveliness and character to any closed terrarium system or paludarium.

Plus, they will feed mainly on smaller insects providing a natural form of population control.

They are also very good at controlling smaller bugs like spider mites and aphids, which can be a problem in many enclosures.

Two-striped jumping spiders also have an interesting natural history and behavior, making them an interesting species to observe.

Two-striped Jumping Spider Facts

Two-striped Jumping Spiders are small, active spiders that typically measure a centimeter in length.

They prefer wet, humid environments and subsist mainly on insects found in their natural environment.

These arachnids usually have calm and docile temperaments when not provoked, and have a typical lifespan of a few years.

Breeding for this species typically occurs between mid-spring and late summer on warm, sunny afternoons.

Habitat

Telamonia dimidiata is an insectivorous spider native to the tropical and temperate climates of South and Southeast Asia, including India, Bhutan, Nepal, and Laos.

In their natural habitat, they prefer mild temperatures, plenty of humidity, and a variety of ecosystems, from evergreen forests to deserts to humid city habitats. 

They are typically seen during warm months, seeking out tiny prey to feed on and hiding in tree bark, under rocks, and other crevices in their environment. 

As their name suggests, two-striped jumping spiders are well known for their ability to jump at prey from considerable heights and make up a significant part of the spider population in their native regions.

Diet

The two-striped jumping spider is a voracious predator in the wild.

They have a varied diet that typically consists of small insects such as flies, moths, grasshoppers, beetles, and spiders.

Telamonia dimidiata is an opportunistic hunter, so it will also feed on food sources that may be found in the area, such as fruits or nectar.

They may also scavenge for dead insects or prey on other spiders.

In their natural habitat, these spiders are known to consume dozens of prey in a single day. 

These spiders will stock their webs with leftovers, which they may feed on later or store for mates or offspring.

They will also return to the same web for food and use their silk webs to form shelters.

As a result, these jumping spiders are highly dependent on their webs and web-building abilities for their feeding habits.

Temperament

The two-striped jumping spider is generally considered to be quite shy and timid, making them a low-risk companion for humans or other animals.

They tend to be largely uninterested in interacting with other creatures and prefer to stick to themselves.

However, with proper care and handling, they can become more used to human interaction and, in some cases, may even be comfortable with gentle petting.

It is important to note that Telamonia dimidiata is incredibly fragile, so if you decide to try and handle them, be gentle and take all necessary precautions. 

Lifespan

Telamonia dimidiata typically have lifespans of about one and a half to two years.

These spiders have a slightly more complex life cycle than many other species of spiders.

After hatching from an egg sac, two-striped jumping spiders go through five stages of development before reaching maturity.

This includes several moltings and the transition from spiderling to juvenile and finally to adult spider.

The entire process can take about 3 months for specimens kept in ideal conditions.

Once mature, two-stripped jumping spiders can live for several years in captivity.

Breeding

When it comes to mating, two-striped jumping spiders have an interesting courtship ritual.

Before mating takes place, the male will try to win the female’s acceptance by performing a “dance” of sorts, complete with leg-tapping, and vibrating of the web.

If the female is pleased, mating will then follow. Female spiders will then lay their eggs in an egg sac.

After this, mother spiders will use their web to protect their young, and stay with them until they’re independent. 

Once the young spiders hatch, they are fully formed and will feed on small insects or other arachnids to survive.

They will continue growing over the course of a few weeks until they reach maturity. 

Where To Find Two-striped Jumping Spiders

Telamonia dimidiata can be found in tropical and subtropical areas throughout Southern Asia and some parts of North America.

The best way to find spiders in the wild is to look for them up high in trees, in thick foliage, or near bodies of water.

There is also the option of purchasing two-striped jumping spiders for sale. When buying spiders online, ensure you are purchasing from a reputable source.

Your spider should be captive-bred, not caught in the wild, as wild-caught spiders do not always do well in captivity.

Additionally, captive-bred spiders are far less likely to bring diseases into your enclosure.