Are There Bold Jumping Spiders in Vermont?
Yes, bold jumping spiders occur throughout Vermont, though they are more abundant in warmer southern and central regions than in the cooler northern mountains. These fuzzy black spiders with iridescent green mouthparts and distinctive white or orange triangular abdominal spots are active hunters found on trees, shrubs, and buildings during warm months.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
Bold Jumping Spider · Bernie Paquette CC BY
Bold Jumping Spider · Ezra Gans-Crocker CC BY
Bold Jumping Spider · Bernie Paquette CC BY
- 1
- species recorded
- 568
- GBIF records
- June, May, September
- peak months
Yes, bold jumping spiders are in Vermont. Next you'll want:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
732 verified observations on iNaturalist of bold jumping spider have been recorded in Vermont, most often in June, May, September.
When bold jumping spider are recorded in Vermont
Yes, bold jumping spiders occur throughout Vermont, though they are more abundant in warmer southern and central regions than in the cooler northern mountains. These fuzzy black spiders with iridescent green mouthparts and distinctive white or orange triangular abdominal spots are active hunters found on trees, shrubs, and buildings during warm months.
Where Bold Jumping Spiders Are Found in Vermont
Bold jumping spiders inhabit a wide range of locations across Vermont, from the Connecticut River valley in the east to the Champlain Valley in the west. These spiders are most abundant in southern Vermont and the central lowlands, with numbers declining toward the Green Mountains and the northern regions of the state. The Connecticut River valley, which runs along Vermont's eastern border, provides warm, diverse habitat where bold jumping spiders thrive year-round in small numbers and peak in late spring through early fall. The Lake Champlain valley on the western side of the state also supports healthy populations, particularly in areas with mixed forest and cleared land. In the higher elevations of the Green Mountains, which run north to south through central Vermont, bold jumping spiders are present but less common, as the cooler temperatures and shorter growing season limit their activity period. State parks and forests throughout Vermont, including state forests in the central and southern portions, harbor these spiders in their natural wooded and open habitats. Visit/wildlife/vermontfor information about other Vermont wildlife. The warmer microhabitats around human structures in towns and cities throughout the state, from Brattleboro in the south to Montpelier in the center, are excellent places to encounter these spiders.
Season and Timing in Vermont
Bold jumping spiders in Vermont follow a seasonal pattern dictated by the state's cold winters and moderate summers. These spiders emerge from dormancy or dispersal in late spring, typically mid-May through June, as daytime temperatures consistently exceed 60 degrees Fahrenheit and insects become abundant. Summer months from July through early September represent the peak activity period when adult bold jumping spiders are most visible and active on trees, vegetation, and building walls throughout Vermont. During this time, they hunt vigorously and are at their most responsive, making late August and September ideal times for observation. Autumn brings a decline in activity as temperatures drop in October, and by November most bold jumping spiders have either died after mating or entered a dormant state, finding shelter in leaf litter, bark crevices, or protected spaces. Winter dormancy lasts from November through April, when very few spiders are active outdoors. In southern Vermont's warmer areas, like the Bennington and Rutland counties, a small population may remain active during unusually warm winter days. Northern Vermont experiences a shorter active season, with spiders appearing later and disappearing earlier than in the south. Juveniles that hatch from egg sacs in late summer and early fall grow through multiple instars but do not reach adulthood before winter, overwintering in protected locations and completing development the following spring. Learn more about/wildlifeto understand Vermont's seasonal patterns for many species.
How to Identify Bold Jumping Spiders
Bold jumping spiders are among the easiest spiders to identify due to their distinctive appearance and behavior. Adult spiders measure between 8 and 15 millimeters in body length, making them visible without magnification but small enough to fit on a fingertip. The body is useful and covered in short, dense hair that gives the spider a fuzzy appearance. The most diagnostic feature is the white or orange triangular spot on the abdomen, positioned toward the rear and pointing backward. The cephalothorax, or head-body region, is black or very dark brown, contrasting sharply with lighter abdominal markings. The legs are dark and relatively thick for the body size. The most striking feature for close observation is the pair of large forward-facing eyes, which give bold jumping spiders excellent vision and a somewhat intelligent, curious expression. These large eyes are iridescent green or blue-green and sit at the front of the head. Just below and behind the eyes are the pedipalps, which in males are noticeably enlarged and colored (sometimes reddish), while females have smaller, less conspicuous pedipalps. The chelicerae, or mouthparts, in bold jumping spiders are characteristically bright iridescent green, visible as a band of color beneath the large front eyes. Females are generally slightly larger than males and may have a more rounded abdomen. There are no vocal calls or sounds produced by this species, as jumping spiders are silent hunters. Young spiders are similar in appearance to adults but are smaller and may have slightly less vivid coloration.
Where Sightings Concentrate in Vermont
Bold jumping spiders concentrate in specific habitats and microhabitats throughout Vermont where prey insects are abundant and the environment offers shelter. On trees and large shrubs, bold jumping spiders are frequently found on sun-exposed bark and branches, particularly on oaks, maples, pines, and birches, where they hunt insects. Forest edges and clearings, especially in southern Vermont's deciduous and mixed forests, are hotspots for these spiders as they transition between sunny and shaded areas. Open woodlands with grassy understory in Rutland County, Addison County, and Windsor County support useful populations. Human structures provide exceptional habitat, and bold jumping spiders are commonly observed on the exterior walls of homes, barns, and outbuildings from May through September, where they hunt attracted insects. Window frames, door frames, and wooden siding are favorite hunting grounds. Park landscapes in towns throughout Vermont, particularly areas with plantings of diverse shrubs and flowers, attract these spiders seeking insect prey. Vermont's state parks, such as Quechee Gulf State Park and Tinmouth Channel Wildlife Management Area, have woodlands and open areas where bold jumping spiders are regularly observed during the warm season. Agricultural areas and gardens with mixed vegetation provide excellent habitat, as do areas transitioning between forest and pasture. Dry, sunny rock outcrops and ledges in the Vermont landscape also harbor these spiders, particularly in the limestone regions of western Vermont near Lake Champlain. Leaf litter and low vegetation provide overwintering habitat, and these areas concentrate spiders seeking refuge as autumn approaches. Refer to/wildlife/vermont/bold-jumping-spiderfor additional details on locating this species.
Typical Behavior of Bold Jumping Spiders
Bold jumping spiders are solitary, active hunters that stalk and pounce on prey with remarkable speed and precision. These spiders do not build webs to catch prey; instead, they rely entirely on vision and agility to locate and capture insects. A bold jumping spider stalks insects by moving slowly forward, keeping its large eyes fixed on the target, and when within range launches itself forward in a quick pounce. They can jump up to 50 times their body length, a remarkable feat of athleticism that allows them to quickly close the distance to fleeing prey. Typical prey includes small insects such as flies, gnats, ants, small wasps, and other small arthropods encountered during daily hunting. Bold jumping spiders are active during the day, making them diurnal hunters, and are most visible during warm, sunny periods when both spiders and insect prey are most active. They spend much of their time moving about on vegetation and structures in search of prey, stopping frequently to rest and observe their surroundings with their forward-facing eyes. Male bold jumping spiders perform elaborate courtship displays when seeking mates, which involve rhythmic movements, posturing with their pedipalps, and sometimes producing vibrations through the substrate. These displays are highly complex and are apparently recognized by females as species-specific signals. After mating, females construct silken egg sacs in protected locations and lay dozens of eggs, which hatch weeks to months later depending on temperature. Juveniles are similar to adults but smaller and go through multiple growth stages before reaching adulthood. Bold jumping spiders are generally harmless to humans and do not bite unless severely threatened or pressed directly against the skin, an extremely rare occurrence.
Coexistence and Safety
Bold jumping spiders pose no threat to humans and are not aggressive. These spiders are small, harmless, and actually beneficial in homes and gardens because they actively hunt pest insects. Vermont residents can safely coexist with bold jumping spiders without any concern for human health or property damage. These spiders do not bite under normal circumstances, and even if threatened, their fangs are far too small to penetrate human skin. No venom of medical concern exists for this species, and cases of bold jumping spider bites are extraordinarily rare and would cause only minor discomfort if they occurred at all. In fact, encountering a bold jumping spider is a positive sign, as it indicates a healthy population of small insects in your environment and the presence of a natural pest controller. If you find a bold jumping spider indoors, you can simply allow it to remain or gently relocate it outside, or leave it undisturbed as it will likely depart on its own. These spiders do not damage homes, furniture, fabric, or food supplies. They are not attracted to any household resource and will not establish populations or cause infestations. Some people keep bold jumping spiders as pets because of their intelligence, visual acuity, and curious behavior, demonstrating how safe and manageable these spiders are. Vermont has no specific legal protections for this common species, and no permits are required for observation or photography. Educational opportunities abound in learning to identify and observe these fascinating spiders in their natural state. Encouraging bold jumping spiders by maintaining diverse plantings and avoiding pesticide use will increase their populations on your property and provide natural pest control benefits. For more information, visit/wildlifeto explore Vermont's entire wildlife group.
Confusion with Similar Species
Several jumping spider species in Vermont can be confused with bold jumping spiders, so accurate identification requires careful observation of key field marks. The regal jumping spider is one of the most common look-alikes, similar in size and body shape but lacking the distinctive bright white or orange triangular abdominal spot characteristic of bold jumping spiders. Regal jumping spiders have darker, more uniform abdominal coloration with less contrast. The zebra jumping spider is another common species in Vermont that has distinct striped abdominal markings rather than a single triangular spot, making it readily distinguishable with attention to the abdomen. Zebra jumping spiders are also generally smaller than bold jumping spiders and have a different body shape. Other Phidippus species, including Phidippus princeps and Phidippus clarus, occur in New England and could potentially be confused with bold jumping spiders, though they are less common in Vermont. These species differ in size, coloration patterns, and the size and prominence of the abdominal spot. The iridescent green chelicerae and large forward-facing eyes are characteristics shared by most jumping spiders, but the triangular abdominal spot, overall useful build, and dark fuzzy body are specific to Phidippus audax. Dark-colored wolf spiders might superficially resemble bold jumping spiders to untrained observers, but wolf spiders have a distinctly different eye arrangement, with smaller forward-facing eyes and additional side eyes in a different configuration. Wolf spiders are also typically larger and have a more flattened body shape. When in doubt, the best field mark for certain identification is the bright triangular spot on the abdomen positioned toward the rear, combined with the large, prominent forward-facing eyes and iridescent green mouthparts of bold jumping spiders.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bold Jumping Spiders
What is the best time of year to observe bold jumping spiders in Vermont? The summer months from June through September offer the best opportunities to observe bold jumping spiders, with peak activity in July and August. During these months, adults are abundant, active, and easily spotted on sunny days on trees, shrubs, and building exteriors. How large do bold jumping spiders grow? Bold jumping spiders are small, measuring between 8 and 15 millimeters in body length, making them visible without magnification but small enough to sit comfortably on a fingertip. This compact size makes them manageable and non-threatening in any encounter. Do bold jumping spiders bite, and is their venom dangerous? Bold jumping spiders very rarely bite, and they do so only when severely threatened or pressed directly against skin. Their fangs are too small to penetrate human skin easily, and their venom is not medically significant to humans. Bites, if they occur at all, would cause at most minor discomfort. Can bold jumping spiders jump on humans, and should I be worried? Bold jumping spiders jump to pursue prey or escape danger, but they show no aggression toward humans and will not jump at a person. They are solitary, non-social spiders that avoid human interaction. These spiders are curious and may approach closely to observe people, but they do not bite or attempt to jump on anyone. For more information on spider ecology and observation, visit/wildlife/vermont/bold-jumping-spider.
Plan your trip
Best time to see bold jumping spider in Vermont: June, May, September
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your bold jumping spider sighting in Vermont
568 verified bold jumping spider records have been logged in Vermont, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Vermont
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