Flower crab spider
Misumena vatia
8,5 mmAdult female
Body length
Body length
od przodu głowotułowia do końca odwłoka · bez nóg, nogogłaszczków i wysuniętych szczękoczułkówMeasurement: side
Flower crab spider — size comparison
The flower crab spider lives on flowers in meadows, gardens, roadsides and woodland edges. It occurs in Europe, Asia and North America. Females may be white, ye
Silhouette comparison
Length
od przodu głowotułowia do końca odwłoka · bez nóg, nogogłaszczków i wysuniętych szczękoczułkówScale for the stated dimensions · each animal is labelled
Measurement comparisonScale in cm
0246810
8.5 mm
8.56 cm
The scale compares the named dimensions. View direction and measurement points are given for each animal.
Flower crab spider — size comparison — facts and sources
The flower crab spider lives on flowers in meadows, gardens, roadsides and woodland edges. It occurs in Europe, Asia and North America. Females may be white, yellow or greenish, sometimes with red streaks along the sides.
It waits motionlessly for insects visiting a flower. With its outstretched front legs it catches flies, bees and other pollinators. It does not use a capture web. An adult female can slowly change colour to match her surroundings; the change takes several days.
The male is much smaller and has darker front legs. The female places her eggs in a shelter made from a leaf and silk, then guards it.