phidippus ardens

Mature female This specimen far more greatly resembles johnsoni- identification was made easy by having these specimen as an immature.

Mature female The name 'ardens' is a reference to these spiders resembling a burning cinder with ash or soot. They are similar to johnsoni but unrelated and are closer to apacheanus, females often have striking high-contrast patterning.

Penultimate female. She looks like a 'standard' common ardens form but could end up maturing way different looking.

Yes I made that name up. It works though. Latin for 'Three-spotted' A strange morph of ardens mostly black. reminds me of the fused spot variation of audax a bit.

Penultimate female

Mature male. Despite similarity to johnsoni, these are closer to nikites and apacheanus.

Penultimate male.

The 'Burning Jumper' A beautiful species related to nikites and apacheanus- some females have an amazing and unique 'firebird' marking on their abdomen as adults. Can be confused with johnsoni though abdominal markings differ.