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14-JUL-2003

Crab spider?

Someone mentioned that this could be a venomous crab spider. Is this a crab spider? See first link below for more info.

http://ns.zeuter.com/~tburden/atg/science/biology/life/animals/arthropo/arachnid/crab2.htm

http://insects.tamu.edu/extension/youth/bug/bug165.html

Canon PowerShot S400
1/640s f/7.1 at 7.4mm hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time14-Jul-2003 17:13:01
MakeCanon
ModelPowerShot S400
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length7.4 mm
Exposure Time1/640 sec
Aperturef/7.1
ISO Equivalent
Exposure Bias-0.33
White Balance (-1)
Metering Modematrix (5)
JPEG Quality (6)
Exposure Program
Focus Distance

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golfpic28-Jul-2003 03:36
Thanks to "crocodile" for sending me this update. "Actually, a Misumena vatia would still be a species of Crab Spider -- The actual family name of Crab spiders is "Thomisidae", and the Misumena vatia is one of about 200 species in North America that belong to this family. You can find out more about this particular species on this webpage.
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/misumena/m._vatia$narrative.html
Bev Wigney24-Jul-2003 17:04
That type of spider is probably a Misumena vatia. There is quite a bit of variation in these spiders, with their overall colouring ranging from yellow to white. However, they all have those characteristic pinkish markings on the body. They generally go by the common name of Flower Spider or Goldenrod Spider because they like to hide in flowers while waiting for their prey. I haven't read much about them being particularly "venomous", but then most spiders have at least some small amount of venom adequate for paralyzing their prey. As for Flower Spiders possessing venom which would have any real effect on a human, I think the venom is more perilous to insects than to humans. Nice photo!