Swift Crab Spider

Photo of a swift crab spider, female, from above.
Scientific Name
Mecaphesa celer (formerly Misumenops celer)
Family
Thomisidae (crab spiders) in the order Araneae (spiders)
Description

The swift crab spider has many spiny hairs covering the top of its body and legs, and it often has a light pinkish-tan cast. Some individuals might be yellow, and markings vary. Note the spiny carapace, abdomen, and legs.

Like other crab spiders, they generally resemble crabs: Their legs extend outward from the sides, and they can walk in any direction. Learn more about the swift crab spider and other foliage flower spiders in their group page.

Media Gallery
Photo of a swift crab spider, female, from above.
The swift crab spider has many spiny hairs covering the top of its body and legs, and it often has a light pinkish-tan cast.
Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org
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Photo of a swift crab spider, female.
Compared to other crab spiders that live in flowers, the various types of foliage flower spiders are generally smaller, with spiny carapaces, abdomens, and legs.
Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org
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Photo of a swift crab spider, female, from above.
Photo of a swift crab spider, female.
Similar Species
About Land Invertebrates in Missouri
Invertebrates are animals without backbones, including earthworms, slugs, snails, and arthropods. Arthropods—invertebrates with “jointed legs” — are a group of invertebrates that includes crayfish, shrimp, millipedes, centipedes, mites, spiders, and insects. There may be as many as 10 million species of insects alive on earth today, and they probably constitute more than 90 percent all animal species.