Arachnid · GBIF taxon 2165951
Misumena vatia
misumena vatiaAlso known as Goldenrod Crab Spider, Flower Crab Spider, Flower Spider
Goldenrod crab spiders are master ambush hunters that alter their body pigment over several days to match the white or yellow petals of their host flowers. Positioned with front legs spread wide, females wait patiently for visiting pollinators before delivering a rapid bite to subdue prey much larger than themselves. Their unusual sideways stride and eight keen eyes allow them to navigate complex floral structures while remaining virtually invisible to both prey and predators.
Ambush PredatorCamouflagedColor-Changing
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Honeybees
- Bumblebees
- Butterflies
Predators
- Songbirds
- Mud dauber wasps
- Jumping spiders
ThreatsPesticide use, habitat loss, and bird predation
HabitatsFields, meadows, gardens, and flowering vegetation
Life span1 year
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderAraneae
- FamilyThomisidae
- GenusMisumena
- Speciesmisumena vatia
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Harmless to humans and safe to observe up close.
Responsible observation
- Flower Inspection: Look closely at goldenrod, milkweed, and daisy blooms during sunny days to spot camouflaged individuals.
- Color Shift Observation: Note how individuals on white flowers turn pale, while those on yellow blooms shift to bright yellow over several days.
- Gentle Approach: Move slowly when photographing, as sudden shadows cause them to retreat beneath petals.
Host Plant (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Prey Andreas Trepte / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
Predator (c) dhasdf, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative Close Relative
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.