mint Green spider ?

[Ianb59]

Hope this link is ok I really need our teenager to do this stuff, Lol

Any ideas on this seemingly aggressive little spider, just over size of 1p peice, squats and advances rather than retreat.

Any ideas?
Thanks

[aeshna5]

Looks like the crab spider Misumena varia which has various colour form from white to bright yellow + greenish. Usually sits on flowers + captures insects as they visit the flower.

Btw- welcome to WAB!

[Geoff F]

I always try to avoid being a difficult person but in this case I think Aeshna has been suffering from 'fat finger syndrome'.

It's Misumena vaTia.

Just in case you got confused, Ian.

ps. It is amazing how these spiders manage to catch prey much larger than themselves.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Geoff F

I always try to avoid being a difficult person but in this case I think Aeshna has been suffering from 'fat finger syndrome'.

It's Misumena vaTia.

Just in case you got confused, Ian.

ps. It is amazing how these spiders manage to catch prey much larger than themselves.

Well spotted Geoff. My fingers are always hitting the wrong key. Fortunately I realise most of the time + correct it- this time I obviously didn't!

My fingers aren't that fat, but clumsy yes!

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by Geoff F

ps. It is amazing how these spiders manage to catch prey much larger than themselves.

Their toxin will stop a bee on a flower, presumably partially by careful positioning of the site of injection and the toxicity of the... toxin.

[Ianb59]

Thanks Guys have just released the it back into the garden

[wilippa]

I would love to see one of these. Anyone give me any idea where they are common? I live in Oxford - are they found here?

[Hedera]

They hide inside flowers, among the stamens or behind the petals. Look inside roses and dahlias. I have found them there and on evening primroses and apple blossom. All colours, even stripey ones

[Geoff F]

I find them regularly on a yellow Potentilla bush and at this time of the year on the large red flower heads of Sedum. Inspite of the colour difference they seem to do well on Sedum.

But you are likely to find them on a number of plants in the south. Once you start looking carefully you will probably find them in many situations.

And as Aeshna said, they can vary in colour, although mostly white or yellow colours.

[wilippa]

Sounds like I need to get up close and personal with some flowers! I did regularly check my hollyhocks over the summer - I figured that since they attract bees, they might contain M. vatia. Didn't find any though.