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Whitebanded crab spider
Misumenoides formosipes
37.3021, -78.3919
Field Notes
Description:
An ambush predator that tends to lie in wait among flowers, especially white or yellow flowers. Females, such as the one pictured, can change color depending on the color of the flowers. Males are smaller and do not change color.
Habitat:
Typically in and around flowers; widespread in the United States.
Notes:
There is some debate as to whether the color-matching of the female spiders is to hide from predators or to more efficiently ambush prey. A study in 2013 suggests that at least one species of crab spider has the same ability to catch prey and avoid predators on an off-color flower as on a matching-color flower.
Species ID Suggestions
Spotted for Missions
Photographed
PublishedMarch 9, 2013
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