Green Nature

Goldenrod Crab Spider

picture of a goldenrod crab spider

The name flower spider formally applies to the Goldenrod Crab Spider (Misumena vatia).

Females are typically three times larger and consequently more noticed than the male.

They normally have either yellow or white bodies with a stripe around the abdomen.

The bottom picture shows a view of the eye pattern from the top. The eyes on the side of the head point backward, and they are not visible in most front view pictures.

picture of the eye pattern of a goldenrod crab spider

© 2009 Patricia A. Michaels