Zygometis

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).[1] They are ambush predators.

Zygometis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Thomisidae
Genus: Zygometis
Simon, 1901[1]
Species:
Z. xanthogaster
Binomial name
Zygometis xanthogaster
(L. Koch, 1875)[1]
Synonyms[1]
  • Zygometis albiceris
  • Zygometis cristulata
  • Zygometis javana
  • Zygometis lactea

Description

They are cream-white in colour, with brownish-red lines on the cephalothorax and abdomen.[2]This coloration help them camouflage onto white flowers to ambush their prey.[2] Females are 6.5 mm, while males are 3 mm.[2]

Habitat

In Australia, they live from coastal forests to semi-arid areas.[3] It is recorded in altitudes up to 661.5m .[4]

Diet & ecology

They are "too small" to harm humans, and prey on insects by ambush.[2]

References
  1. "Gen. Zygometis Simon, 1901". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 2016-02-25.
  2. "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.
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