Green Lynx Spider

Green lynx spider, Peucetia viridans

A bright green spider often found on shrubs and flowers, the green lynx spider is the largest lynx spider in North America. They can be found throughout the southern United States and as far south as Venezuela and can also be found in the West Indies. While the females may reach up to 16 mm (5/8 in) in length, males are smaller at 13 mm (1/2 in), but both have the bright transparent green body with prominent pale legs.

While green lynx spiders feed on beneficial insects, they also feed on pests.

Although docile towards humans, green lynx spiders are known for aggressive predation. They are active, arboreal hunters, but will sit quietly for prey when the optimal spot is found. As the common name lynx implies, they hunt like a cat and pounce suddenly on their prey. Their prey include butterflies, bees, wasps, and caterpillars, as efficient at removing other beneficial insects as it is removing pests from the garden. Aside from spitting spiders, the green lynx spider is the only spider that can squirt or spit venom.