Identify banksia peacock spiders in Australia by tiny size, colourful male fan display, south-west WA range and jumping-spider behaviour. Compare photos, danger level, first aid notes, web clues and what to check next before choosing a likely match.

Bitten or unwell? Call 000. Poisons advice: 13 11 26.

Photo credits

Candalides01 CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jean and Fred from Perth, Australia CC BY 2.0

Maratus mungaich

Banksia Peacock Spider Identification Australia

Tiny south-west Western Australian jumping spider, best known for the colourful male fan display and banksia or jarrah woodland habitat.

Usually low riskReviewed and updated 2026-04-29

Use the spider identifier Check dangerous spiders

SizePin head to pea body

Colours / marksRed or orange marking, Yellow or gold, White or pale marking, Black or very dark, Brown, Patterned

Web clueNo capture web

Usually foundBanksia woodland, jarrah forest, Perth-region bushland, leaf litter, low plants and ground-layer vegetation in the south-west of Western Australia.

First aid / what to do now

Move away from the spider and avoid handling it.
Wash the bite area with soap and water.
Use a cold pack for pain or swelling.
Call 13 11 26 or seek medical advice if symptoms are severe, spreading, infected-looking, allergic, or you are unsure what bit you.

This site cannot diagnose a bite. In an emergency call 000. For poisoning advice in Australia call 13 11 26.

How to identify the Banksia peacock spider

Very tiny jumping spider, often only a few millimetres long
Male may show colourful transverse bands and side flaps on the abdomen
Large forward-facing eyes and short jerky jumps rather than a capture web
Strong south-west Western Australia clue, especially banksia woodland, jarrah forest, low plants or leaf litter

Danger level

Usually low risk

What to check next

Check the location first: this is a south-west Western Australian peacock spider. Look for tiny size, jumping-spider eyes, low vegetation or leaf litter, and any colourful male fan display. Compare with common peacock spiders, coastal peacock spiders and other Maratus species if the pattern is unclear.

When to seek medical help

This spider is not usually considered dangerous. Avoid handling it and seek medical advice for severe pain, allergic symptoms, infection signs, spreading symptoms or uncertainty after any bite.

Where the Banksia peacock spider is usually seen in Australia

Banksia woodland, jarrah forest, Perth-region bushland, leaf litter, low plants and ground-layer vegetation in the south-west of Western Australia.

How it differs from lookalikes

These comparisons are clues, not a confirmed species ID. Use several features together: body shape, size, location, web type and behaviour.

Common peacock spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check the location first: this is a south-west Western Australian peacock spider. Look for tiny size, jumping-spider eyes, low vegetation or leaf litter, and any colourful male fan display. Compare with common peacock spiders, coastal peacock spiders and other Maratus species if the pattern is unclear. For the other possibility, check: Check the size first: common peacock spiders are tiny. Look for jumping-spider eyes, short jumps, low vegetation or leaf-litter habitat, and any colourful male fan display. Compare with coastal peacock spiders, garden jumping spiders and other Maratus species if the abdomen pattern is unclear.
Coastal peacock spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check the location first: this is a south-west Western Australian peacock spider. Look for tiny size, jumping-spider eyes, low vegetation or leaf litter, and any colourful male fan display. Compare with common peacock spiders, coastal peacock spiders and other Maratus species if the pattern is unclear. For the other possibility, check: Check the location and scale first: a tiny Maratus-style spider on WA coastal vegetation is a stronger clue than colour alone. A close photo is usually needed to separate it from other peacock spiders.
Orange-legged swift spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check the location first: this is a south-west Western Australian peacock spider. Look for tiny size, jumping-spider eyes, low vegetation or leaf litter, and any colourful male fan display. Compare with common peacock spiders, coastal peacock spiders and other Maratus species if the pattern is unclear. For the other possibility, check: Check for the stop-start running behaviour, orange front legs, black-and-white markings and no capture web. Compare with swift ground spiders, wolf spiders and ant-mimic spiders if the leg colour is unclear.

Common comparisons

People often compare this spider with similar Australian spiders. These quick links help you check the closest alternatives.

Banksia peacock spider vs Common peacock spidersame region, similar size Banksia peacock spider vs Coastal peacock spidersame region, similar size Banksia peacock spider vs Orange-legged swift spidersame region, similar size Banksia peacock spider vs Golden-thighed brushed jumping spidersimilar size, similar colour

Compare this spider by state

Use the state guides to compare this spider with other local possibilities.

WAWestern Australia

Next useful checks

Still trying to identify this spider?

Use these quick paths if the Banksia peacock spider is only one possible match. They help compare photo clues, local spider pages, bite guidance and similar Australian spiders.

Use the spider identifier for a possible Banksia peacock spider Identify Banksia peacock spider by picture clues Banksia peacock spider bite first aid and warning signs Compare Australian spider photos Identify Banksia peacock spider in WA

Reference notes

How this guide stays cautious

Spider Identifier Australia uses visible clues to suggest likely possibilities. It is not a medical diagnosis or a formal species determination.

Australian Museum spider informationAustralian spider identification, biology and dangerous spider context.
Australian Museum funnel-web spidersFunnel-web range, identification and bite-safety context.
Poisons Information CentreCall 13 11 26 for poisons advice from anywhere in Australia.

Common questions

Banksia peacock spider FAQ

Is the Banksia peacock spider dangerous?

Danger level: Usually low risk. This spider is not usually considered dangerous. Avoid handling it and seek medical advice for severe pain, allergic symptoms, infection signs, spreading symptoms or uncertainty after any bite.

How do I identify the Banksia peacock spider?

Check the visible body shape, size, colour, markings, location and web or hiding place. Key clues include: Very tiny jumping spider, often only a few millimetres long; Male may show colourful transverse bands and side flaps on the abdomen; Large forward-facing eyes and short jerky jumps rather than a capture web; Strong south-west Western Australia clue, especially banksia woodland, jarrah forest, low plants or leaf litter.

What should I do if I think I was bitten by a Banksia peacock spider?

Clean the area, use a cold pack for pain, and seek medical advice if pain is severe, symptoms spread, infection signs appear, or you are unsure what bit you.

Where is the Banksia peacock spider usually found?