The Rainbow Jumping Spider: this flamboyant species of jumping spider has a stunning, almost rainbow-like appearance, and it was once believed to be extinct
The scientific name of this species is Chrysilla volupe, but it's also known as the rainbow jumping spider, because the males are covered in colorful, iridescent patterns that include shades of red, pink, purple, blue, green, and gold.
Above: the male form of Chrysilla volupe
These may be the world's most flamboyant spiders.
Above: Chrysilla volupe males
Despite its eye-catching appearance, Chrysilla volupe is regarded as a rare species, and it's often very difficult to find.
The male form of Chrysilla volupe was first described by scientists in 1879, but very few of these spiders were documented in the years that followed, leading some researchers to believe that the species may have gone extinct.
Above: another male of the same species
The female form wasn't even identified until 139 years later, when several female specimens were finally discovered in the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, India. That discovery was made back in 2018.
Above: the female form of Chrysilla volupe
The females also have iridescent patterns, but their colors are much more subdued. Their heads are decorated with patches of red and grayish-blue setae; the spider's abdomen is also covered in shimmering flecks of blue, gold, pink, and purple. Unlike the males, the females do not have colorful patterns on their legs.
Above: a lateral view of the male
Like most jumping spiders, this species is quite small -- the males have a maximum length of just 5.4mm (that measurement includes their outstretched legs) and the females are even smaller, measuring just 2.6mm long, which is roughly the size of a flea.
Above: Chrysilla volupe standing on a lizard's head
Chrysilla volupe has been documented at sites throughout India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka.
Above: a rainbow jumping spider with a dewdrop on his head
I wrote a post about this species a few years ago, but it recently occurred to me that some of the info in that original post may have been inaccurate, so I decided to just go back and rewrite the whole thing.
I also added more info, sources, and photos.
Above: a male Chrysilla volupe snacking on a fruit fly
Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies: Chrysilla volupe Spider Spotted in Eastern Ghats, India (PDF)
Arthropoda Selecta: First Description of the Female of Chrysilla volupe from India, with Notes on the Species' Distribution and Life History
Biodiversity Data Journal: The Genera Chrysilla and Phintelloides Revisited
The Hindu: Rare Chrysilla volupe Spiders Discovered at Puttenahalli Lake
Peckhamia: New Records of Jumping Spiders from Nepal
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