Invertebrates
Goldenrod Crab Spider
Misumena vatia · also called flower crab spider
On a yellow daisy in a summer meadow, a pale goldenrod crab spider waits motionless, her front legs spread wide, perfectly matching the petals around her.
Overview
The goldenrod crab spider, Misumena vatia, is a Not Evaluated ambush spider of meadows, gardens, and woodland edges across Europe, Asia, and North America. Its colour change, flower-based hunting, and ability to kill larger prey make it one of the most remarkable small predators of the summer garden.
A spider that matches its flower
By changing colour to match the flower she hunts on, the female becomes almost invisible to visiting insects, which fly close without noticing the danger.
Status
Not Evaluated globally, though widespread and common.
Goldenrod Crab Spider: common questions
Can the goldenrod crab spider really change colour?
Yes, a female can change between white and yellow, over several days, to match the flower she sits on.
How does it catch bees?
It waits motionless on a flower and bites a visiting bee at the back of the neck, with a venom that quickly paralyses it.
Why is it called a crab spider?
It holds its front legs wide and can walk sideways, like a crab.
Where is the goldenrod crab spider found?
It lives in meadows, gardens, and woodland edges across Europe, Asia, and North America.