Try for Free
tab list
Picture Insect
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Home Application Download FAQ
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Icon about
About
Icon about
General Info
Icon about
Search Tips
Icon about
Harmful or Not
Icon about
Harmful Effects
Icon about
Common FAQs
Icon about
Similar Insects
Icon about
Popular Insects
Northern crab spider

Northern crab spider

Mecaphesa asperata

A species of Mecaphesa

Northern crab spider is named for its crab-like appearance and ability to walk in any direction on its long, segmented legs. It is a type of flower spider, so-named because it is an ambush predator that waits near flowers for its victims. It is a common garden spider and is also found in open areas like meadows and fields.

Toxic to Animals
Toxic to Animals
Bite Humans
Bite Humans
General Info About Northern crab spider
Instantly identify insects with a snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and risk assessment, gaining quick insights on bite assessment, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safe interaction tips, etc.
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Attributes of Northern crab spider
Colors
Brown
White
Habitat
forest; field; scrub
Adult Food Sources
Flies, bees, butterflies, small beetles, other spiders
Larva Food Source
Small arthropods, tiny insects, insect larvae, aphids, mites
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
Not reported
Predatory
The Northern crab spider typically preys on other arthropods and does not directly affect plants.
Biting animal or pet
Yes
qrcode
Img download isoImg download android
Rectangle
Species Status of Northern crab spider
It is found in North and Central America, and the Caribbean.
Rectangle
Distribution Area of Northern crab spider
North and Central America, the Caribbean
Rectangle
Predators of Adult Northern crab spider
Birds, lizards, insectivorous mammals, larger spiders, spider wasps
Rectangle
Interesting Facts About Northern crab spider
With a unique ability, northern crab spider meticulously camouflages itself in its environment, eluding both predators and prey with remarkable adaptive coloring.
Rectangle
Scientific Classification of Northern crab spider
Tips for Finding Northern crab spider
Your ultimate guide to understanding insects
Unlock the secrets of insect life cycles, habitats, behaviors and observation tips!!
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Youth Habitat of Northern crab spider
Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Urban and Suburban Areas, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas
Rectangle
Adult Habitat of Northern crab spider
Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Urban and Suburban Areas, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas
Rectangle
What is the Best Weather to Observe Northern crab spider
Sunny and warm weather is the most suitable condition to find northern crab spider, as they tend to be more active and visible during these times. Cool or rainy weather may drive them to hide for shelter.
Rectangle
How and Where Can You Find Northern crab spider at Different Life Stages
Juvenile Juvenile northern crab spider are small and can be found in various plants, often in flowers where they hunt for small insects. Look for them by carefully examining the blossoms and leaves of plants, paying close attention to color variations and movements.
Adult Northern crab spider adults can often be found sitting motionless in flowers or foliage, camouflaged and waiting for prey. Search for them in gardens, meadows, and forest edges, checking for spiders that match the colors of the flowers.
Are Northern crab spider harmful?
Your Complete Pest Control Guide
Discover effective tips for preventing and eliminating pest infestations to keep bugs away from your home.
Download the App for Free
Harmful Effects of Northern crab spider
Reveal the harmful impacts of diverse insects
Explore the dangers of insects related to toxicity, lethality, human biting, human stinging, pathogenicity, hematophagy, allergenicity, parasitism, etc.
Download the App for Free
Icon toxic for
Toxic to Animals
Icon toxic for
Bite Humans
Rectangle
Toxic to Animals

Northern crab spider can sting, inducing a mild toxic reaction primarily in humans and other mammals such as dogs and cats. Through its sting, northern crab spider injects venom that can cause pain and discomfort. While humans may experience localized swelling and pain, smaller animals like pets might have more intense reactions. Other insects that get stung can be subdued, allowing northern crab spider to defend itself or its colony from potential threats.

Rectangle
Bite Humans

The behavior of northern crab spider typically does not involve biting humans. These spiders may bite defensively if they feel threatened or cornered, but such instances are rare. When they do bite, it's a method of self-defense, and the impact is generally a mild reaction due to their non-aggressive nature.

More Effects of Northern crab spider

Common Questions People Also Ask
Get Quick Insect Answers with a Snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and answers on bites, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safety tips!
Download the App for Free
More Insects that are Similar to Northern crab spider
Triangle crab spider
Triangle crab spider

The triangle crab spider exhibits an extraordinary form of mimicry, often resembling a flower or plant part, a tactic evolved to ambush prey. This captivating species has evolved a distinct palette that provides exceptional camouflage within its habitat, allowing it to pounce on unsuspecting pollinators that venture too close. Even in its juvenile stage, the triangle crab spider displays such proficiency in ambush tactics that it successfully captures and consumes insects multiple times its size.

Read More
Arrow
Banded crab spider
Banded crab spider

Featuring a unique ability to change color to match its environment, banded crab spider is a master of camouflage. This arachnid's diet changes from larval parasitism during its initial life stages to active predation as an adult, showcasing a fascinating developmental dietary transition. In its mature form, banded crab spider employs its remarkable crab-like sideways walking to stalk prey, capitalizing upon its extraordinary visual acuity to ambush unsuspecting insects.

Read More
Arrow
Green crab spider
Green crab spider

Females can grow up to 6 mm, males up to 4 mm. Prosoma and legs are green, the opisthosoma is yellowish with a brown mark.

Read More
Arrow
Diaea livens
Diaea livens

Diaea livens is a species of crab spider in the family Thomisidae. It is found in Southern and Central Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Iran, and has been introduced into the United States.

Read More
Arrow
Diaea ambara
Diaea ambara

Females are about 6 mm in length. Cephalothorax is golden brown, abdomen is tan with faint markings. However, colour is very variable and is assumed to aid camouflage.

Read More
Arrow
Wrinkled birddung crabspider
Wrinkled birddung crabspider

Adorned with a remarkable semblance to a crumpled leaf, wrinkled birddung crabspider possesses an uncanny ability to blend into its leafy surroundings—a trait that not only serves as defense against predators but also facilitates its predatory ambush strategies. This arachnid displays sexual dimorphism, with females notably larger than males, both of whom exhibit subtle changes in coloration to align with the changing hues of their arboreal habitats throughout the seasons.

Read More
Arrow
Bird Dung Spider
Bird Dung Spider

Phrynarachne ceylonica, the bird dung spider, is a species of spiders of the genus Phrynarachne. It is found in China, Japan, Sri Lanka and Taiwan. The species is known to discharge foul smell, which may help it attract prey and deter predators. Its morphology is similar to bird's dung, and hence its common name. This strategy is used by the spider to catch prey who thinks that it is actually dung, not an animal.

Read More
Arrow
Phrynarachne katoi
Phrynarachne katoi

Resembling the discards of a bird's meal, phrynarachne katoi has mastered the art of camouflage with its uncanny resemblance to bird droppings. This arachnid's strategic appearance serves as both a defense mechanism and an ambush tactic, allowing it to evade predators and surprise unsuspecting prey. Its diet shifts with age, where younger spiders typically consume smaller insects, and adults extend their menu to include larger prey suitable for their deceptive hunting strategy.

Read More
Arrow
Other Popular Insects
Western honey bee
Western honey bee

Western honey bee(Apis mellifera) is the most common species of honeybee in the world. Among the first domesticated insects, its cultural and economic impact on humanity has been vast and far-reaching, providing honey, wax and its services as a pollinator. Western honey bee faces challenges worldwide, such as colony collapse disorder, and populations are thought to be decreasing.

Read More
Arrow
Monarch butterfly
Monarch butterfly

The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is the most recognizable butterfly in North America. It is best known for its appearance, but should be better known for the fact that it has a 3000-mile migration that takes the butterfly 4 generations to complete. Their diet is also a natural deterrent for predators, as they eat milkweed, a poison that induces vomiting.

Read More
Arrow
Japanese rhinoceros beetle
Japanese rhinoceros beetle

The japanese rhinoceros beetle (Trypoxylus dichotomus) is a massive beetle about the size of the palm of a hand. It's distinguished by its long Y-shaped horn, which it uses to fight other males with. It's a nocturnal bug that feeds on sap and sweet fruits. This species is sometimes kept as a pet due to its unique appearance and simple care requirements.

Read More
Arrow
Silkworm
Silkworm

The silken threads produced by silkworm during its larval stage have been highly coveted for millennia, manifesting as a luxurious fabric in human society. Remarkably, this creature has a singular diet, feeding exclusively on the leaves of its primary host plant from which it extracts the necessary nutrients to facilitate its transition into a non-feeding, winged adult.

Read More
Arrow
Menelaus blue morpho
Menelaus blue morpho

Menelaus blue morpho (Morpho menelaus) is a gorgeous butterfly with large, royal blue wings. Linnaeus named the genus Morpho the Aphrodite-Ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty for its extreme beauty. It is native to tropical rainforests. Though many butterfly gardens now cultivate them in captivity, there are still many people who never get a chance to see them.

Read More
Arrow
Atlas moth
Atlas moth

While the atlas moth (Attacus atlas) can't tell you where to find your country on the map, it does earn its name through other means. It is one of the largest moths in the world, with a wingspan that is far larger than its body, creating an abnormal comparison. In India, their silk is gathered in a non-commercial capacity and is considered to be more durable than the domestic silkworm.

Read More
Arrow
Flying peacock spider
Flying peacock spider

Both sexes reach about 5 mm in body length. Females and immatures of both sexes are brown but have color patterns by which they can be distinguished from related species. Also, the males dance to attract females.

Read More
Arrow
Multicolored asian ladybeetle
Multicolored asian ladybeetle

Often confused for the ladybug, multicolored asian ladybeetle (Harmonia axyridis) is a separate species that, unlike the ladybug, is a household pest. It is considered particularly annoying for its habit of returning to places from which it is removed. One of the most variable species in the world, there are many different colors and patterns multicolored asian ladybeetle may display, making identification potentially difficult.

Read More
Arrow