Cosmophasis umbratica is a species of jumping spider found in South and Southeast Asia.
The genus Cosmophasis is found near tropical regions as well as in areas of India to Sumatra.
These spiders are commonly found in areas of low vegetation, plants in extravagant gardens, and in some instances on tree trunks.
[4] The shinny, jumping spiders are mainly active when exposed to sunlight and in morning and the earlier side of the afternoon.
Cosmophasis umbratica are most commonly found in regions of south and southeast Asia.
These spiders are mainly spotted in regions with higher exposure to sunlight and are generally found on leaves of plants.
Cosmophasis umbratica are primarily spotted during late mornings and early afternoons.
[5] The female Cosmophasis umbratica has a green cephalothorax and a mixture of the black, white, and brown abdomen.
On the other hand, the male Cosmophasis umbratica are also green and black, but they have silver-like irredescent markings on their abdominal region.
[6][7] C. umbratica has four main ways of movement: skittering, drumming of palps, bobbing of the abdomen, and lunging.
However, it is probable that non-UV reflecting males have not been eliminated by evolutionary pressures because of their advantage of being inconspicuous to predators.
[2] [7]On the other hand, due to their extensive eye depth and powerful vision, they have adopted a “stalk and leap” strategy.
Cosmophasis umbratica build nests made of viscid silk for them to rest and retreat into.
Their two sets of eyes allow them to escape predators in an efficient manner as well as catch prey in a strategic way.
After mating, the female C. umbratica holds the sperm until she is ready to fertilize and lay her eggs.
As the eggs are woven and hidden inside the silk, they stay there until fertilization occurs.
When the eggs are ready to hatch, spiderlings emerge Males become sexually mature before females.
Furthermore, the male will drum and his posture straightens and he flexes his abdomen and displays his UV light.
The colorful bodily array on the spiders may benefit the males in terms of sexual selection.