Bug Identifier
Flower Crab Spider
Community identification

Flower Crab Spider

Misumena vatia

Order & Family
Araneae: Thomisidae
Size
Females 8-10 mm; Males 3-5 mm
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found on flowers, shrubs, and garden vegetation where they can blend in to hunt.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous, primarily hunting pollinators like bees, flies, and butterflies using ambush tactics.

Behavior Patterns

Ambush predator that doesn't spin webs; notable for its ability to change color between white and yellow to match its surroundings over several days.

Risks & Benefits

Beneficial to ecosystems by controlling insect populations. They are harmless to humans, with bites being extremely rare and medically insignificant.