Royal Alberta Museum: Invertebrate Zoology - Bug Facts

[Caterpillars and Other Immature Insects]

Fact Sheets: Commonly Observed and Asked About Insects and Spiders Found in Alberta

Goldenrod Spider (Misumena vatia)

White Goldenrod Spider
Credit: Terry Thormin

Goldenrod Spider with its prey, a Honey Bee
Credit: Terry Thormin

INTRODUCTION

This spider is the only spider in Alberta that is capable of changing its colour to suit its background. The colour ranges from white to bright yellow, and it takes one to two days for the spider to make the change. The result is a superbly camouflaged predator that is seldom seen by its prey.

IDENTIFICATION

This is a medium sized spider that usually sits on flowers waiting for prey to come along. It is either white or yellow, and usually has a large red mark on either side of the abdomen. When waiting for prey the front two pairs of legs, which are longer than the back two, are held out to the side.

DISTRIBUTION

Found throughout Alberta, and common throughout most of North America.

TIME OF YEAR

This spider is present throughout the late spring, summer and early fall.

HABITAT AND HABITS

The Goldenrod Spider is a member of the crab spider family, and like all crab spiders it has the ability to move forward, backward and sideways. It typically waits for prey on yellow or white flowers, although other colours are also chosen. It gets its name because goldenrod is a favorite flower once it is in bloom. It can be found in urban flower gardens as well as roadside weedy areas, prairies, fields and alpine meadows; wherever there are appropriate flowers.

SIMILAR SPECIES

In Alberta there are a number of crab spiders, but the Goldenrod Spider is the only brightly coloured species, the others tending to be mottled brown. The mottled brown species are often found on the bark of trees where their colours provide excellent camouflage.

COMMENTS

People who find this spider for the first time are often surprised that such a large colourful spider is actually very common in Alberta. There is also the usual reaction of worry that it might be a dangerous spider. This spider rarely bites and, when it does, it is in response to being physically harmed. The only report we have of a person being bitten by this spider resulted in a bit of a welt that was itchy and disappeared within 24 hours

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Last update: August 31 2004