Flower Spider
  Misumena vatia  
Order: Araneae
Family: Thomisidae
 
Physical Characteristics
 
 
  Cephalothorax:        
Short with eyes on bumps in the front.    
Abdomen:    
Wide and flattened almost circular. These spiders tend to be brightly colored or white.    
Legs:    
Distinctively forward with the front most legs longer and stouter than the hind legs.    
Size:    
Males: 3 to 4 mm
Females: 6 to 9 mm
   
 
Eye Pattern:  
   
       
 
  Habitat:    
  Found on fences in gardens, often found among flowers such as goldenrod, trillium, white fleabane, white flower.
  Range:
    North America and Europe  
         
 
         

 

 
  Web Type:    
  They don’t make a web but use their silk to protect their eggs. In order to get food they ambush their prey.  
       
Fun Fact:    
  These spiders can change color in accordance with their substrate and ambush pollinating insects and are known for killing honey bees.