Goldenrod spider
English
Misumena vatia
These spiders, like the other Thomisidae, have characteristics normally associated with crabs: their first two pairs of legs are longer and often held apart, ready to catch their prey, and they scuttle sideways when disturbed.
The females are yellow or white. Their abdomens, wider toward the rear, have two bright pink longitudinal stripes. They are from 6 to 11 mm long, without their legs. The males are smaller (3 to 5 mm) and darker. Their legs and bodies are reddish brown, with a white mark above the eyes.
