Platycryptus undatus (DeGeer, 1778) - Familiar Jumper

N. M. Hentz's pioneering North American spider studies typically include short descriptions with the emphasis on morphology rather than behavior. His account of Attus familiaris now Platycryptus undatus is an exception. Hentz begins his section on Observations with the following: This very common spider, almost domesticated in our houses, by its habits, deserves a longer notice than the others. Hentz then describes the stalking motion of the spider, a narrative that although it is brief gives life to his subject. Gradually, as it draws near to the unsuspecting victim, its motions become more composed, until, when very near, its movements are entirely imperceptible to the closest observation, and, indeed, it would appear perfectly motionless, were it not for the fact that it gradually draws nearer to the insect. One hundred and fifty years after Hentz's pioneering work even such simple descriptive narratives as this one are lacking for many jumping spiders.
Hentz, 1846

• ♦ N. M. Hentz - Attus familiaris - *Massachusetts - Hentz, 1846, pl. 21, f. 7
• ♦ J. H. Emerton - A. f. - Essex (Salem), May and October - Burgess, 1875: 58
• ♦ W. Woodman/MCZ - Marpissa undata - Barnstable (Cotuit), 1900 - Catalog #91549
• ♦ **BSNH - Marpissa familiaris - Hampshire (Worthington), Norfolk (Sharon) - Bryant, 1908: 94
• ♦ F. Marsh II/MCZ - Platycryptus undatus - Plymouth (Marshfield), September 1933 - Catalog #59619
• ♦ H. W. Levi/MCZ - P. u. - Middlesex (Pepperell), July 2000 - Catalog #29885
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• ♦ Connecticut - M. u. - Kaston, 1948: 454, 11 records
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*See Scudder, 1866
**See Bryant, 1908

Edwards, G. B. 2006. A review of described Metacyrba, the status of Parkella, and notes on Platycryptus and Balmaceda, with a comparison of the genera (Araneae: Salticidae: Marpissinae). INSECTA MUNDI, Vol. 19, No. 4.