Insect Order (Aranae)
Taxonomy
Other Names: "Flower Spider"
The Taxonomic Breakdown is the scientific way to categorize a partocular insect species from its largest group (Animalia) to its smallest (variable). The Genus and Species categorizations taken together make up the species' scientific name shown above, in this case Mecaphesa spp..
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Aranae
Family: Thomisidae
Genus: Mecaphesa
Species: spp.
Characteristics
Abdomen: Has a noticeably large / oversized abdomen.
Outdoors: Typically found across the great outdoors.
Eight-Legged: Eight legs are common to this insect.
Small / Tiny: Noticeably small to the naked eye.
Description
The Crab Spider (Mecaphesa) is also known by these other names:
Flower Spider
The Crab Spider (Mecaphesa) has been identified by site users by the following descriptors:
outdoors small eight-legged hairy abdomen green lime yellow
Sighting Guide
The general likelihood of encountering this insect based on a given month of the year in the state of Tennessee. Generally, the best sighting months are June through August with peak occurring in July.
Size
Below is a representation of the 'smallest-small' and 'largest-large' sizes commonly associated with the Crab Spider (Mecaphesa). Due to monitor differences, sizes may not be exact on your particular screen. Conversions to millimeters are provided for convenience.
Lowest-Low:
0.20 inches
(5 mm)
Highest-High:
0.39 inches
(10 mm)
Identifying Colors
Below you will find the colors most commonly associated with the Crab Spider (Mecaphesa). Both Primary and Secondary colors are represented in the showcase. Due to monitor differences, colors may not be exact representations.
Tennessee County Reach
The Crab Spider (Mecaphesa) can be found in the following Tennessee counties:
Anderson; Bedford; Benton; Bledsoe; Blount; Bradley; Campbell; Cannon; Carroll; Carter; Cheatham; Chester; Claiborne; Clay; Cocke; Coffee; Crockett; Cumberland; Davidson; De Kalb; Decatur; Dickson; Dyer; Fayette; Fentress; Franklin; Gibson; Giles; Grainger; Greene; Grundy; Hamblen; Hamilton; Hancock; Hardeman; Hardin; Hawkins; Haywood; Henderson; Henry; Hickman; Houston; Humphreys; Jackson; Jefferson; Johnson; Knox; Lake; Lauderdale; Lawrence; Lewis; Lincoln; Loudon; Macon; Madison; Marion; Marshall; Maury; McMinn; McNairy; Meigs; Monroe; Montgomery; Moore; Morgan; Obion; Overton; Perry; Pickett; Polk; Putnam; Rhea; Roane; Robertson; Rutherford; Scott; Sequatchie; Sevier; Shelby; Smith; Stewart; Sullivan; Sumner; Tipton; Trousdale; Unicoi; Union; Van Buren; Warren; Washington; Wayne; Weakley; White; Williamson; Wilson
Crab Spider (Mecaphesa) Picture (1)
1 of 1
Image of an adult Crab Spider hiding in plants.; Credit: Noah B. of Indiana.
This image is original to
www.InsectIdentification.org; Used with Permission.
