Zygometis

Zygometis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Thomisidae
Genus: Zygometis
Simon, 1901
Species:
Z. xanthogaster
Binomial name
Zygometis xanthogaster
(L. Koch, 1875)
Synonyms
  • Zygometis albiceris
  • Zygometis cristulata
  • Zygometis javana
  • Zygometis lactea

Zygometis is a genus of spider in the family Thomisidae described by Simon in 1901, containing the sole species Zygometis xanthogaster, or the milky flower spider or white flower spider, with a distribution from Thailand to Australia (including Lord Howe Island). They are ambush predators.

Description

They are cream-white in colour, with brownish-red lines on the cephalothorax and abdomen. This coloration help them camouflage onto white flowers to ambush their prey. Females are 6.5 mm, while males are 3 mm.

Habitat

In Australia, they live from coastal forests to semi-arid areas. It is recorded in altitudes up to 661.5 m.

Diet & ecology

They are "too small" to harm humans, and prey on insects by ambush.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Gen. Zygometis Simon, 1901". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 2016-02-25.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Flower Spider (Zygometis lactea)". www.ozanimals.com. Retrieved 2021-12-09.
  3. ↑ "Zygometis xanthogaster (L. Koch, 1876) Milky Flower Spider". arachne.org.au. Retrieved 2021-12-09.
  4. ↑ "Zygometis xanthogaster sightings - Canberra Nature Map". canberra.naturemapr.org. Retrieved 2021-12-09.