Clynotis severus
Clynotis severus Jumping Spider Identification Australia
A medium-sized Australian jumping spider, often dark, brown, grey or black-and-white, with a stern-looking lined face, fluffy palps and an active bark, foliage or litter lifestyle.
Usually low riskClynotis severus is an accepted Australian jumping-spider species also called the stern jumping spider. The common “severe” label comes from the scowling or frowning impression made by lines on the front body; it does not describe its bite risk or temperament. A likely individual is a 5–9 mm salticid with large forward-facing eyes, an elongate-oval abdomen, relatively even slender legs and highly variable colour. The best field evidence combines the jumper eye arrangement and alert daytime behaviour with a close view of the carapace stripes, pale body hairs and habitat. One distant photo of a dark spider on bark cannot reliably separate C. severus from other Australian jumpers.
Quick identification
- Body usually about 5–9 mm long, larger than many tiny garden jumpers but still small
- Large forward-facing principal eyes and an alert salticid posture
- Elongate-oval abdomen, slender fairly even legs and pale or white hair that can break up the outline
- Dark, brown, grey, black-and-white or melanic forms; a pale stripe may run along the body
- Lines on the carapace can give a “stern” or frowning facial impression in a sharp close-up
- Found on foliage, leaf litter, under bark, on trunks, fences, walls or similar sheltered surfaces without a capture web
What to check next
Take a front-oblique close-up that shows the eye row and carapace lines, a dorsal view of the abdomen, a scale reference and a wide habitat image. Compare the body shape and palps with other jumpers, and leave an uncertain photo at Salticidae or Clynotis level rather than relying on the apparent frown.
When to seek medical help
The name “severe” does not mean a severe bite. Clynotis severus is not among the Australian spiders healthdirect highlights as medically important, but it should not be handled. For a witnessed minor spider bite, wash with soap and water and use a wrapped cold pack for local pain. Seek medical advice for severe or persistent pain, worsening swelling, infection signs or illness; call 000 for breathing difficulty, collapse or anaphylaxis. If the spider could instead be a funnel-web or mouse spider, use emergency first aid and call 000 rather than relying on an uncertain photo match.
Where it is usually seen
A notably broad Australian habitat range: rainforest through dry country, on foliage and in litter, plus under bark, on trunks, fences, walls and garden surfaces. Its ability to use both vegetation and sheltered hard surfaces explains why it can appear in bushland, gardens and buildings.