Bug Identifier
Crab Spider
Community identification

Crab Spider

Family Thomisidae

Order & Family
Order Araneae, Family Thomisidae
Size
4 mm to 10 mm (0.15 to 0.4 inches), depending on species and sex.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found on flowers, leaves, under bark, or on the ground; often found indoors if accidentally brought in on plants.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous; they eat a variety of insects such as bees, flies, and butterflies using an ambush strategy.

Behavior Patterns

They do not spin webs to catch prey but instead sit motionless and wait to ambush passing insects. Some species can slowly change color to match their surroundings.

Risks & Benefits

They are generally harmless to humans and are reluctant to bite. They benefit the ecosystem by controlling insect populations.