The quote below in italics is from an article in the September-December 1976 issue of the entomological journal Psyche by R.R. Jackson; the title is “Predation as a Selection Factor in the Mating Strategy of the Jumping Spider Phidippus johnsoni (Salticidae, Araneae).”
“Aposematic” coloration is coloration that has a warning function, as in orange-and-black birds or insects that taste nasty. The spider in question is black with a bright red abdomen.
“There is no evidence that their coloration is aposematic, although information concerning this is limited. They do not taste bitter or noxious to humans (personal observation).”
Posted by: Ron Sullivan