Photo credits
tjeales CC BY-SA 4.0 · Niki Hubbard CC BY 4.0 · Ian Sutton from Oberon, Australia CC BY 2.0
Cosmophasis thalassina
Sea-Green Northern Jumper Identification Australia
Tiny metallic green, turquoise, black and white jumping spider from warm Queensland gardens, rainforest edges and leafy vegetation.
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 Sea-green northern jumper
- Small jumping spider with large forward-facing eyes
- Male often shows metallic sea-green or turquoise bands with black and white markings
- Short stop-start movement and little jumps rather than a capture web
- Strong Queensland clue, especially warm leafy gardens, parks, rainforest edges and riverine vegetation
Danger level
Usually low risk
What to check next
Check the location first: this is mainly a Queensland northern jumper. Look for metallic green or turquoise banding, black-and-white patterning, jumping-spider eyes and active movement on leaves, sunny walls or garden plants. Compare with sparkling northern jumping spiders and green jumping spiders if the markings are 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 Sea-green northern jumper is usually seen in Australia
Warm Queensland gardens, parks, leafy shrubs, rainforest edges, riverine vegetation, low plants and sunny walls where small jumping spiders hunt by sight.
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.
- Golden-thighed brushed jumping spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check the location first: this is mainly a Queensland northern jumper. Look for metallic green or turquoise banding, black-and-white patterning, jumping-spider eyes and active movement on leaves, sunny walls or garden plants. Compare with sparkling northern jumping spiders and green jumping spiders if the markings are unclear. For the other possibility, check: Check for jumping-spider eyes, tiny size, short jumps and the golden front-leg brush or white side-band clues. Compare with Aussie bronze hoppers, garden jumping spiders and white-banded house jumping spiders if the photo is not close enough.
- Orange-legged swift spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check the location first: this is mainly a Queensland northern jumper. Look for metallic green or turquoise banding, black-and-white patterning, jumping-spider eyes and active movement on leaves, sunny walls or garden plants. Compare with sparkling northern jumping spiders and green jumping spiders if the markings are 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.
- Elegant lynx spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check the location first: this is mainly a Queensland northern jumper. Look for metallic green or turquoise banding, black-and-white patterning, jumping-spider eyes and active movement on leaves, sunny walls or garden plants. Compare with sparkling northern jumping spiders and green jumping spiders if the markings are unclear. For the other possibility, check: Check for spiny legs, a slim active-hunter posture and a foliage or long-grass setting. Compare with generic lynx spiders, flower crab spiders and small jumping spiders if the eyes or leg spines are unclear.
Common comparisons
People often compare this spider with similar Australian spiders. These quick links help you check the closest alternatives.
Compare this spider by state
Use the state guides to compare this spider with other local possibilities.
Similar spiders to compare
Compare this spider with these likely lookalikes before settling on an identification.
Golden-thighed brushed jumping spiderUsually low risksame region, similar size, similar colour
Orange-legged swift spiderUsually low risksame region, similar size, similar colour
Elegant lynx spiderUsually low risksame region, similar size, similar colour
Sparkling northern jumping spiderUsually low risksame region, similar size, similar colourNext useful checks
Still trying to identify this spider?
Use these quick paths if the Sea-green northern jumper is only one possible match. They help compare photo clues, local spider pages, bite guidance and similar Australian spiders.
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
Sea-green northern jumper FAQ
Is the Sea-green northern jumper 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 Sea-green northern jumper?
Check the visible body shape, size, colour, markings, location and web or hiding place. Key clues include: Small jumping spider with large forward-facing eyes; Male often shows metallic sea-green or turquoise bands with black and white markings; Short stop-start movement and little jumps rather than a capture web; Strong Queensland clue, especially warm leafy gardens, parks, rainforest edges and riverine vegetation.
What should I do if I think I was bitten by a Sea-green northern jumper?
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 Sea-green northern jumper usually found?
Warm Queensland gardens, parks, leafy shrubs, rainforest edges, riverine vegetation, low plants and sunny walls where small jumping spiders hunt by sight.
What spiders look similar to the Sea-green northern jumper?
Common lookalikes can overlap in colour, size, web type or habitat. Use the similar spiders and common comparisons on this page to check alternatives before settling on a match.
Can I identify the Sea-green northern jumper by photo?
A photo can help if it shows the whole spider, markings, size and where it was found. For the Sea-green northern jumper, also compare the checklist clues and what to check next rather than relying on colour alone.