Misumenoides genus of the crab spider family comprises more than 30 species spread throughout parts of South America. Misumenoides formosipes or white-banded crab spider is the most known species of this genus.
Size: Female spiders are around 0.20-0.60 inches (0.50-1.5 cm) and males are 0.10-0.15 inches (0.25-0.38 cm).
Color: The males and females have a difference in color and pattern that vary from one species to another. In the white-banded crab spider, the males have a golden abdomen and dark brown legs. Whereas, for the females, the color changes from white to yellow based on their surroundings.
Other Characteristic Features: The white-banded crab spider has a white line intersecting their eyes’ plane. Simultaneously, the goldenrod crab spider has a ‘v’ marking on its back and a mask covering its eyes.
Like most other spiders, in this genus, too the females make an egg sac, the color, and shape of which differ from one species to the other. The white-banded crab spider has a white, lens-shaped sac.
Spiderlings survive on their own and reaches maturity.
They do not make webs, but hide near flowers, waiting to capture their prey.
They are harmless to humans, since most of the spiders have a small size, and is unable to inject their venom deep into the skin.
| Distribution | America |
| Habitat | Probably flowers and gardens |
| Diet | Honeybees and skipper butterflies |
| Lifespan | 1-3 years |
Image Source: Live.staticflickr.com
Misumenoides genus of the crab spider family comprises more than 30 species spread throughout parts of South America. Misumenoides formosipes or white-banded crab spider is the most known species of this genus.
Size: Female spiders are around 0.20-0.60 inches (0.50-1.5 cm) and males are 0.10-0.15 inches (0.25-0.38 cm).
Color: The males and females have a difference in color and pattern that vary from one species to another. In the white-banded crab spider, the males have a golden abdomen and dark brown legs. Whereas, for the females, the color changes from white to yellow based on their surroundings.
Other Characteristic Features: The white-banded crab spider has a white line intersecting their eyes’ plane. Simultaneously, the goldenrod crab spider has a ‘v’ marking on its back and a mask covering its eyes.
Like most other spiders, in this genus, too the females make an egg sac, the color, and shape of which differ from one species to the other. The white-banded crab spider has a white, lens-shaped sac.
Spiderlings survive on their own and reaches maturity.
They do not make webs, but hide near flowers, waiting to capture their prey.
They are harmless to humans, since most of the spiders have a small size, and is unable to inject their venom deep into the skin.
| Distribution | America |
| Habitat | Probably flowers and gardens |
| Diet | Honeybees and skipper butterflies |
| Lifespan | 1-3 years |
Image Source: Live.staticflickr.com
