Other Common Names
Crab Spider, Flower Spiders
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Misumessus oblongus was part of this genus until 2008.
Identification
Some closeups of facial images to aid in identification:
Misumena:
All four anterior (front) eyes are about the same size. When viewed from the front, and a little above, it seems all eight eyes are visible and form a crescent shape. The lateral eyes are on tubercles, but the posterior laterals are visible. See
Misumenoides:
All four anterior (front) eyes are about the same size. When viewed from the front, and a little above, only six eyes are visible. The posterior laterals are facing sideways and are on the ends of a long horizontal transverse ridge across the face. Eric says "Misumena has essentially no black markings (while Misumenoides may have some), which is how you can tell them apart in the field most easily." See
Misumenops:
The anterior lateral eyes are a little larger than the anterior median eyes. When viewed from the front, and a little above, only six eyes are visible. The posterior laterals are facing sideways and backwards on tubercles that include the anterior laterals. Misumenops is also often (always?) hairy. See
Comments, corrections, and suggestions most welcome. Please add them to discussion thread
here.
Images by Tom Adams, Troy Bartlett, Derrick Ditchburn, Tony DiTerlizzi, Bill DuPree, Vincent J Hickey, Richard Leung, Paul F Wagner, Paul McNelis, Bill Claff, and Chris Wirth
Print References
"Spiders and their Kin: A Golden Nature Guide"
(1), pp. 94-95
"National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects & Spiders"
(2), pp. 906-907
Internet References
Samford University has an image of
M. asperatus
The Insects of Cedar Creek, Minnesota has info and photos of pinned adults.
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crawford.tardigrade.net - Image of a Misumenops sierrensis male found in WA.
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crawford.tardigrade.net - Image of Female
Misumenops sierrensis from WA
