Eris militaris (Hentz, 1845)

bronze jumper

• May 5, 2008

  
  Nikki J. Breidenbaugh
  38.4369, -87.1164
  1    
  Added: May 12, 2008 at 9:54:55 PM MST

  I am not positive of my identifications.  He was on my money plant, jumping from flower to flower, very active.

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• Aug 27, 2007

  
  David Bree
  43.9948, -77.7283
  1    
  Added: Aug 27, 2007 at 8:13:23 PM MST

  On milkweed leaf. I am not 100% sure of the identification of this species but there is a fuzzy picture if anyone would like to comment.

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• May 25, 2007

  
  Bev Wigney
  45.1456, -75.6088
  2    2    
  Added: Jun 2, 2007 at 6:52:57 AM MST

  All of the following account took place on an old plastic lawnchair that is sitting in a small orchard at the edge of a woodlot on our farm. The chair is surrounded by mixed grasses, Meadowsweet (Spirea alba) and other vegetation. On 25/05/2007, a female E. militaris was observed perched on the back of the chair. It moved to hide behind the back slats when I moved in for a closer look and to take some photos. On 26/05/2007, I checked the chair and found a male spider wandering about on the chair. On 29/05/2007, I checked the chair and found a small silky nest spun between some kind of stick-like cocoon (presumably made by moths) on the underside of the chair. There was also a granular-coated, oval, cocoon-like structure incorporated into the nest, as well as a small, dark, barrel-shaped object. A male E. militaris could be seen hiding withing the nest. I failed to notice that there was a female, upside-down, hidden beneath a couple of the objects in the nest (this was discovered after examining the my photos a couple of days later). While photographing the nest, the male moved to the entrance opening to watch me (see photo that accompanies this report). After taking a few photos, I found another male E. militaris on a nearby apple tree. It rappelled off before I could take a photo. On 30/05/2007, I checked the chair and found an upside-down spider in the nest. I thought it must be the male and gave the nest a slight tweak to see if he was alive. The spider flipped over to reveal that it was a female spider (the one that had been hidden from view the previous day). It moved around in the nest and can be seen in one of the linked photos next to one of the granular cocoon-like objects). The female spider then rappelled to the grass beneath the chair. I set the chair back in place. Returning to check on her that evening, I found her back on the chair, but in a nearby silky refuge. On 31/05/2007, I checked the chair and now found a female in the second refuge, but also another female wandering around on the chair in the immediate area of the spider in the nest.  I will continue to observe these spiders over the next while.  Photos to accompany this observation may be found at the following URLS:
  http://www.pbase.com/crocodile/image/79811144
  http://www.pbase.com/crocodile/image/79811147
  http://www.pbase.com/crocodile/image/79811149
  http://www.pbase.com/crocodile/image/79811151
  (edited by admin Jun 2, 2007 at 10:56:36 AM MST)

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• May 11, 2007

  
  Bev Wigney
  45.1456, -75.6088
  2    
  Added: May 11, 2007 at 12:24:16 PM MST

  Female spider found on poplar tree carrying an insect larva (see photo). This spider was found about 15 meters from the location where a male and female of this species were found in late April and early May. A second female was seen approximately 4 meters from this location on May 3, 2007, also on a poplar tree in the woodlot. Photo of May 9th spider: http://www.pbase.com/crocodile/image/78522677  Photo of May 3rd spider: http://www.pbase.com/crocodile/image/78522677
  (edited by admin May 11, 2007 at 3:03:19 PM MST)

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• May 2, 2007

  
  Bev Wigney
  45.1465, -75.6088
  1    
  Added: May 2, 2007 at 1:17:37 PM MST

  Female spider found with prey on May 2, 2007. She was found on a Wild Cherry tree within about 2 meters of another Wild Cherry tree where a male Eris Militaris was seen on April 23, 2007. (Photo of male: http://www.pbase.com/image/77626681). This female was biting on a large fly. These particular flies have been frequenting the small grove of Black Cherry trees for several days. As I watched the spider for awhile, she seemed determined to ensure that she wouldn't lose her prey and raised her first pair of legs to hold it more securely. She tried to keep me within her line of sight at all times, and would move from side to side in order to keep me in view. Photos (2) at: http://www.pbase.com/image/78117801 http://www.pbase.com/crocodile/image/78117802
  (edited by admin May 2, 2007 at 1:51:58 PM MST)

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• Apr 23, 2007

  
  Bev Wigney
  45.1465, -75.6088
  1    
  Added: Apr 23, 2007 at 10:20:02 AM MST

  Sighting Report - male Eris Militaris -- Location: City of Ottawa (formerly Osgoode Township), Carleton County, Ontario, Canada., Coordinates: Osgoode 45.14651, -75.60883., Date & Time: April 23, 2007; 10:54 hours., Habitat: Succession forest of aspen, black cherry, birch.  Details: one male spider found - possibly hunting, on bark of black cherry tree.   Reference Photograph: (1) posted at following URL: http://www.pbase.com/crocodile/image/77626681/original
  (edited by admin Apr 23, 2007 at 10:30:44 AM MST)

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