Bug Identifier
Flower Crab Spider
Community identification

Flower Crab Spider

Misumena vatia

Order & Family
Araneae, Thomisidae
Size
Females typically 7-10 mm; males 3-4 mm.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Gardens, meadows, and fields, typically found on flowers and other vegetation where they hunt for prey.

Diet & Feeding

They are ambush predators, feeding on various insects that visit flowers, such as bees, flies, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Behavior Patterns

Flower crab spiders are known for their ability to change color (chromatophores) to match the flower they are sitting on, which helps them camouflage themselves from both prey and predators. They do not spin webs but instead wait motionless on flowers, ambushing unsuspecting insects that come to feed on nectar or pollen. Their front two pairs of legs are held open, ready to grasp prey.

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans; bites are rare and only occur if provoked, with mild effects. They are beneficial to the ecosystem as natural pest control, helping to regulate insect populations.