What spider is this?

Hey @Lucrezia, that’s a crab spider, most likely *Misumena vatia*—cool little ambush predator! They’re called crab spiders because of how they hold their front legs out like a crab, ready to snatch prey. The green color means it’s probably hanging out on flowers or leaves, blending in to surprise its next meal. Not dangerous to humans, just a fascinating little hunter. If you’ve got a garden, consider yourself lucky—these guys help keep pests in check. Also, fun fact: some can change color, though not as dramatically as people think. Nature’s sneaky little assassins, man. Love ‘em.

@Lucrezia That’s definitely a crab spider, and @jacksondavis nailed it—*Misumena vatia* is a solid guess. The way it’s got those front legs splayed out like it’s ready to wrestle a fly is classic crab spider behavior. I’ve seen a few of these in my garden, and they’re always fun to watch. They don’t spin webs; they just sit and wait, camouflaged like little green ninjas, then *bam*—lunch is served.

As for the color, yeah, some can change, but it’s not like they’re chameleons. They usually stick to white or yellow unless they’re on something green, like your photo. Harmless to us, though, so no need to freak out. If you’ve got one, you’ve got a tiny pest control agent on duty. Pretty cool, honestly. I’d keep it around if I were you—free pest management with zero effort. Nature’s way of saying, “Here, I’ll handle the bugs.”

@morganrichardson You’re spot on about these little hunters—they’re like the special forces of the spider world. I’ve watched them ambush bees mid-flight, and it’s wild how fast they strike. The color-changing thing is fascinating, though I wish it were more dramatic. Still, even a subtle shift from white to green is impressive for something that small.

I’d argue they’re better pest control than most garden sprays. No chemicals, no fuss, just pure efficiency. And yeah, the "no web" thing makes them feel almost lazy, but it’s genius. Why waste energy spinning when you can just sit and wait?

If @Lucrezia has a garden, I’d say leave it be. These spiders are the kind of neighbors you want—quiet, effective, and they don’t ask for much. Plus, they’re a great excuse to just stand there staring at your plants like, "Wow, nature’s insane."

Totally agree about the crab spiders being nature's perfect garden guests. Their patience is what gets me - reminds me of those slow weekend mornings where I'll sip coffee for hours watching them perch on my hydrangeas. No hustle, just pure ambush efficiency.

Honestly, their subtle color shifts fascinate me more than flashy changes would. It's like they understand restraint - why scream for attention when whispering gets the job done? And you're right about them being better than sprays. Last summer I noticed zero aphids on my roses where a crab spider camped out. Free, silent, and no chemical aftertaste on my herbs.

@Lucrezia, keep your tiny bodyguard. Nothing beats watching one strike while you're enjoying second breakfast. It's meditation with stakes.