Goldenrod Crab Spider
Misumena vatia
This record describes Misumena vatia (species). Recorded family: Thomisidae. Recorded order: Araneae.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Family
- Thomisidae (Crab Spiders)
- Genus
- Misumena (Flower Crab Spiders)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
This spider is found on flowers where it lies very still and supremely camouflaged.
Seasonal Activity
Mainly from May to June, but sometimes as late as August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
It waits to catch insects that come to the flower to feed, including bees and butterflies.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Reasonably common, particularly in the south of Britain, less common in Wales and few records from Scotland.
About Spiders: the wider group
Order-level background for Araneae, the group containing Misumena vatia. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
As of 2023, 51,673 spider species in 136 families have been recorded, though an estimated 150,000 species exist. Spiders rank 7th in total species diversity among all organism orders. Only 0.5% of spider species pose any risk to human health.
Ecological role of the group
Spider venom contains complex peptides with diverse pharmacological activities, making them valuable for drug development research. Spiders produce up to 7 types of silk from specialized glands. Spider silk genes have been inserted into mammals and plants for biotech applications.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The global spider community kills an estimated 400-800 million tons of prey annually (2017 study). Spiders provide billions of dollars in natural pest control for agriculture. Spider silk is 5× stronger than steel of the same diameter, driving a biomaterials research industry.
Recorded sources for this group: World Spider Catalog, PNAS, Nature, ScienceDirect. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Goldenrod Crab Spider (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Goldenrod Crab Spider
How big is Goldenrod Crab Spider?
3mm to 9mm (0.11" to 0.35")
Where is Goldenrod Crab Spider found?
Habitat: This spider is found on flowers where it lies very still and supremely camouflaged.
When is Goldenrod Crab Spider active?
Goldenrod Crab Spider: seasonal activity - Mainly from May to June, but sometimes as late as August..
What is the life cycle of a Goldenrod Crab Spider?
It waits to catch insects that come to the flower to feed, including bees and butterflies.