Feeding and feeder insects
A good way to know whether your jumping spider needs feeding, is to look at how full their abdomen is. Refer to the graphic below, which was kindly designed by the lovely Bug Print, for a better idea of what this means. For slings and juveniles, this is usually every 2-3 days, and for adults, once or twice a week. If you are finding that the meal you are feeding is not making their abdomen look full, it generally means that their prey is too small, and you need to size up. Be aware that mature males will look a little less chunky than females, and will not take food as often. Keep spraying water for them, and offer them a meal every week, but try not to be too alarmed if they don't take it.
Below is a general prey item guide that I use for different instars, but please note that prey items are dependent on the size of the spider, which can vary, even at the same instar. You will always find the prey they have been feeding on with me, in each spider's individual listing.
L4 - Drosophila Hydei fruit flies
L5 & L6 - House flies/curly wing flies & hatchling locusts
L6, L7, L8, & L9 - Green bottle flies & small locusts
Sub adults & Adults - Green bottles, Blue bottles, locusts, & wax worms (these should not be part of their main diet, and should be given occasionally only)
I have not included crickets or mealworms in this list, as I tend not to use them. Both these feeders have quite strong mouth parts, and can bite your jumping spider. If you are using these as a feeder, you should always supervise them.
Green bottles/Blue bottles:
If you decide to go with green/blue bottle flies, they will come in castor form for you to hatch out at home. You can keep these casters in the fridge and take a few out when you need them to avoid them hatching all at once and going to waste. To hatch, simply pop them in a well ventilated pot in a nice warm place. They will usually hatch out in 3-7 days, depending on how fresh they are. If you feed them, (I use reptile jelly pots) they tend to last around a week. Pop the live flies in the fridge for 10 minutes or so before you feed, and it will slow them down enough for you to easily grab one.
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