Green Lynx Spider – Peucetia viridans

Green Lynx Spider   Scientific Name: Peucetia viridans Common Name: Green lynx spider Appearance: The male green lynx spiders are smaller more slender, averaging 12 mm in length, while females are 22 mm long. They often have a red patch on the eyes and some red spots on the body. The abdomen has chevron-like marks, and the legs are green to yellow. The females may change their color to fit best according to their background. They tend to have many black spots throughout their body. Host Plants or Food: They eat various insects, including moths and larvae that feed on cabbage, corn, and cotton. Territory: North America, Central America Mode of Damage: They attack pests, which is a helpful predator of crop pests. Hence they are considered a beneficial insects. Habits and Life History: Green lynx spider females construct one to two centimeters of eggs sacs in September and October, containing 25 to 600 bright orange eggs. Female guards the sac hanging upside down, attacking everyone that comes near. They squirt venom for defense, sometimes from a distance of 300m; the green lynx spider is an ambush hunter, often lurking on leaves or flowers. They can change color according to the background, and they play an essential role in the farm or garden ecosystem. Eggs require 11 to 16 days to hatch; the egg transforms into a postembryo. It is like others without tarsal claws, and mouthparts and eyes are functionless. It remains in the egg for 16 days where 1st functional eyes, digestive tract, and is ready to leave the egg sac. Under field conditions, male and female spiderlings pass through 8 instars before reaching adulthood, from egg sac to maturity. It would take 288 days for males and 301 days for females.