Flower-spider
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Diaea
Flower Spiders
Diaea is a genus of crab spiders (family Thomisidae) first described by Thorell in 1869. The genus contains 46 species as of September 2025, most with restricted distributions except for D. livens (United States) and D. dorsata (Palearctic). Adults range 4–7 mm in body length and are strongly associated with vegetation, particularly flowers, where their green, yellow, or white coloration provides camouflage.
Mecaphesa asperata
Northern Crab Spider
Mecaphesa asperata is a small crab spider in the family Thomisidae, commonly known as the northern crab spider. It is one of the 'flower spiders' that hunts on blossoms, using camouflage to ambush pollinators such as bees and flies. The species is a Nearctic relative of the better-known goldenrod spider (Misumena vatia) but is considerably smaller. Formerly classified in the genus Misumenops as M. asperatus, it was transferred to Mecaphesa based on revised taxonomy.
Mecaphesa verityi
Mecaphesa verityi is a crab spider in the family Thomisidae, first described by Schick in 1965. The genus Mecaphesa comprises small to medium-sized spiders that ambush prey on flowers. Like other members of this genus, M. verityi likely exhibits cryptic coloration to blend with blossoms where it waits for pollinators. The species is known from the United States, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Misumena
Flower Crab Spiders
Misumena is a genus of crab spiders in the family Thomisidae, commonly known as flower crab spiders. The genus contains approximately 40 species distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, with the most well-known species being Misumena vatia, the goldenrod crab spider. These spiders are ambush predators that hunt on flowers, where they rely on camouflage to capture pollinating insects. Some species, particularly females of M. vatia, exhibit remarkable color-changing abilities, shifting between white and yellow to match their floral substrate.
Misumena vatia
goldenrod crab spider, flower crab spider, white death spider
Misumena vatia is a crab spider in the family Thomisidae found across the northern hemisphere in North America and Europe. Adult females are ambush predators that hunt on flowers, where they capture pollinating insects using venom and their enlarged front legs. Females possess a remarkable ability to change color between yellow and white to match their floral substrate, a process taking 6–25 days depending on direction. The species exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism: females reach 6–11 mm while males are only 2.5–5 mm and lack color-changing ability. Females are sedentary, occupying single flowers for extended periods, while males actively search for mates following silk draglines.
Misumenoides
whitebanded crab spider
Misumenoides is a genus of crab spiders in the family Thomisidae, established by F. O. Pickard-Cambridge in 1900. The genus contains approximately 35 species distributed primarily in the Americas, with M. formosipes (whitebanded crab spider) being the most thoroughly documented species in North America. These spiders are ambush predators that typically hunt on flowers, using their crab-like front legs to grasp prey. The genus has been recently recorded from Bangladesh, extending its known distribution to South Asia.
Misumenoides formosipes
White-banded Crab Spider
Misumenoides formosipes is a crab spider (family Thomisidae) commonly known as the white-banded crab spider, named for the distinctive white ridge running through the plane of its eyes. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism, with females significantly larger than males and capable of changing color between white and yellow to match their surroundings, while males maintain a fixed gold coloration with darker front legs. This sit-and-wait predator hunts pollinators on flowers without building webs.
Misumenoides quetzaltocatl
Misumenoides quetzaltocatl is a species of crab spider in the family Thomisidae, described by Jiménez in 1992. The genus Misumenoides comprises flower crab spiders that ambush prey on vegetation. As a Neotropical species known from Mexico, it shares the characteristic crab-like body form and anteriorly directed legs typical of the family. Like congeners, it likely exhibits the sit-and-wait predatory strategy on flowers and foliage.
Misumenops
crab spider
Misumenops is a genus of small crab spiders (family Thomisidae) containing over 50 described species. These spiders are characterized by their flattened bodies and laterally extended legs, typical of ambush predators. Most species occur in the Americas from Canada to Argentina, with some species found on Pacific islands and scattered localities in Asia, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent. Body length ranges from 2–7 mm, with coloration varying from yellow to pale green, often with red or brown patterning. The genus name derives from Misumena (a related crab spider genus) and Greek 'ops' meaning 'looks like'.
Misumessus lappi
Misumessus lappi is a species of crab spider in the family Thomisidae, described by Edwards in 2017. As a member of the genus Misumessus, it belongs to a group of spiders commonly known as flower crab spiders. The species is recorded from the United States. Like other thomisids, it likely employs ambush predation on flowers and vegetation.
Thomisidae
crab spiders, flower spiders, flower crab spiders
Thomisidae is a large family of spiders comprising approximately 172 genera and over 2,100 species worldwide. Members are commonly called crab spiders or flower spiders due to their laterigrade leg orientation—legs twisted at the base to project horizontally—enabling sideways and backward movement reminiscent of true crabs. These spiders are ambush predators that do not construct prey-capture webs, instead relying on stealth, camouflage, and rapid leg strikes to subdue prey. Many species exhibit remarkable color change abilities to match floral backgrounds, while others mimic bird droppings or hunt in leaf litter and bark crevices.