Whitebanded Crab Spider

Types of Spiders Crab Spiders: Thomisidae More Types of Spiders

As the top picture shows, the Whitebanded Crab Spider (Misumenoides formosipes) is not necessarily white.

Apart from the eye pattern. the stripes on the top of the head portion of the body and the symmetrical pattern on the abdomen are good field identification marks.

The body color and pattern for females can be yellow and red, as in the top picture, or yellow and black, white and black or white and red.

Males are significantly smaller and often two sets of very dark front legs.

Check for the presence of hair over the body because Misumenops share some similar color characteristics.

© 2009 Patricia A. Michaels