Heliophanus kochii is a small species of jumping spider (family Salticidae) first described by French arachnologist Eugène Simon in 1868. It is known for its striking metallic sheen and impressive jumping ability.
Physical Characteristics
Appearance: These spiders are dark (brown or black) with a strong metallic, iridescent sheen that can appear green or violet in sunlight.
Markings: They typically have a thin white band along the front of the abdomen and one or two pairs of white spots on the top.
Size: Like most sun-jumpers, they are tiny. Females range from 4 to 5.5 mm, while males are slightly smaller at 3 to 4 mm.
Legs & Palps: Their legs are often black with white stripes and light brown tips, and their palps are black with distinctive white hairs.
Distribution and Habitat
Range: They are found across much of Europe, North Africa (Morocco), and parts of Asia (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Israel).
Recent Discoveries: In June 2023, the species was discovered for the first time in the UK on Brighton Beach, likely having "ballooned" across the English Channel from France. It was also first recorded in the Western Hemisphere (Buffalo, New York) in 2014.
