Crab Spiders, Flower Spiders (Thomisidae)

by Jeffrey S. Pippen | Back to Jeff's Spiders Page | Jeff's Nature Pages

There are several species of Flower Spiders (a group of Crab Spiders) in North Carolina. Flower Spiders sit on flowers and slowly change their colors to match the flower. Their front two legs are greatly enlarged and are adapted to grab prey items, such as flies, bees, butterflies, and other insects that visit the flowers. They do not spin webs and are not known to be dangerous to humans. Thanks to Jane and John B. for help with spider ID.
Flower Spider (Crab Spider) on Verbena Whitebanded Crab Spider (Misumenoides formosipes) on Verbena
Orange Co., NC
24 Sep 2006
Whitebanded Crab Spider (Misumenoides formosipes) on Verbena
Orange Co., NC
14 Sep 2019
Whitebanded Crab Spider (Misumenoides formosipes) on Verbena
Orange Co., NC
14 Sep 2019
Flower Spider (Crab Spider) on Balduina Whitebanded Crab Spider (Misumenoides formosipes) on Balduina uniflora
Carteret Co., NC
27 Aug 2006
Flower Spider (Crab Spider) on Balduina Whitebanded Crab Spider (Misumenoides formosipes) on Balduina uniflora
Carteret Co., NC
26 Aug 2007
Flower Spider (Crab Spider) on Balduina Whitebanded Crab Spider (Misumenoides formosipes) on Balduina uniflora
Carteret Co., NC
26 Aug 2007

Whitebanded Crab Spider (Misumenoides formosipes) Whitebanded Crab Spider (Misumenoides formosipes) on Carduus nutans
Missoula Co., NC
24 Aug 2014

Flower Spider (Crab Spider) on Balduina Unidentified Flower Spider on Balduina uniflora
Carteret Co., NC
27 Aug 2006



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Created on ... Sep 8, 2006 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com