Flower spider

Fact Box Species: Zygometis xanthogaster (JS) (previously Diaea or Diasterea) Family: Thomisidae Body length: female: 6.5 mm male: 3 mm Habitat: On flowers and green leaves but usually in a retreat made from them Toxicity: Too small to cause human illness

Other views With retreat

This species had its name changed in 2014 from Zygometis lactea to the one shown above by P. Szymkowiak in Annales of Zoologici Warszawa, Volume 64, pages 333-477.

Like many Diaea species this spider has off-white, translucent legs and cephalothorax and a whitish abdomen with red markings that are quite variable but normally include a pair of stripes on each side of the cephalothorax. The legs of the male also have dark bands. These colour schemes allow this spider to ambush insects that land on white flowers and green leaves.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Tharrhalea evanida and some other crab/flower spiders.