When I used to spend time with the adorable jumping spiders in my garden a few years ago, I had no idea that these little creatures were such rare finds in the biological world. It’s fascinating to think that something so small could be of such interest to researchers.

CHRYSILLA VOLUPE – MALE SITS ON MY HAND

I recently came across some fascinating information about the ‘Chrysilla Volupe’, a species believed to have been extinct for over 150 years. Surprisingly, it was rediscovered at the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in 2018. More recently, there have been sightings of this species during the cleanup of Puttenahalli lake in Bangalore. Interestingly, I had been observing these remarkable creatures in my home in Kottayam, Kerala long before these sightings. I made several attempts to capture them on camera, but these energetic little jumping spiders proved to be quite the challenge to photograph with a macro lens.

CHRYSILLA VOLUPE – MALE CRAWLS BETWEEN THE HAIRS ON MY HAND

CHRYSILLA VOLUPE – MALE SITS ON MY HAND AND STARES AT THE LENS

CHRYSILLA VOLUPE – FEMALE ON MY HAND

CHRYSILLA VOLUPE – FEMALE ON MY LENS

CHRYSILLA VOLUPE – FEMALE ON MY HAND

CHRYSILLA VOLUPE – MALES DANCE ON MY HAND. HEY GUYS, DON’T GET STUCK ON MY HAIRS

Here are some interesting details about these fascinating creatures:

1. These spiders belong to the family of jumping spiders (Salticidae).

2. The male spider has a reddish tint on its head with two distinct lines of fluorescent blue on top. Its entire body displays iridescent rainbow-like colors that appear different from various angles. Males measure 5.44 mm long, including stretched legs, and 1.76 mm wide.

3. Female spiders have grey-colored heads with reddish side lines and yellowish transparent legs. Their bodies exhibit sparkling rainbow-like colors. Females are 2.61 mm long and 0.88 mm wide.

4. They are native to India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan.

5. Holothele is a genus of tarantulas first described by Ferdinand Anton Franz Karsch in 1879.

6. The female species of this spider was discovered and documented 139 years later in 2018.

Now, have a look at a short video clip :

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