Green Lynx Spiders 40D0031225

Young Green Lynx Spiders (Peucetia viridans)

The green lynx spider (Peucetia viridans) is a conspicuous, large, bright green spider found on shrubs. It is the largest North American lynx spider. The female reaches a body length of 22mm, the more slender male averages 12mm. There usually is a red patch between the eyes, with red spots over the body. The eye region is clothed with white appressed hairs. The legs are green to yellow, with very long black spines and covered with black spots. It is rather similar to P. longipalpis, the other Peucetia species to occur in the US.

Gravid females are able to change their color to fit their background. The female constructs one to four 2cm egg sacs in September and October of 25 to 600 bright orange eggs each, which is guarded. She usually hangs upside down from the sac and attacks everything that comes near. The eggs hatch after about two weeks. Then it takes another two weeks until fully functional spiderlings emerge. They need eight instars to reach maturity

It very seldom bites humans, and its bite is harmless. This species occurs in the southern United States, Central America, the West Indies and Venezuela.

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