Cardinal Jumping Spider (Phidippus cardinalis)

Cardinal jumping spiders (Phidippus cardinalis) are a beautiful species of jumping spider from the eastern United States. They are one of several species of jumping spider thought to mimic wasps in the genus Dasymutilla, as some species are similar in size and color. The wasps in this genus, commonly known as velvet ants,  posses a very painful sting which is why it is believed that some jumping spiders have evolved to mimic them.  Currently available specimen is a field-collected adult female.