Thomisidae species (legacy Diaea label)
Green Crab Spider Identification in Australia
Small green or green-brown flower spider with sideways crab-like front legs, usually waiting on leaves, flowers or garden plants rather than building a capture web.
Usually low riskGreen crab spider is a practical field label for a small Australian crab spider in the family Thomisidae. Older Australian records and search results often call these spiders Diaea, but the major Australian revision moved former Diaea species into several genera. A photograph can support a green thomisid or flower-spider identification without proving one of those genera or a species. The useful field combination is the sideways front-leg posture, a low broad body, foliage or flower habitat and sit-and-wait hunting.
Quick identification
- Small green, yellow-green or green-brown spider with a low body
- First two leg pairs held sideways or forwards in a crab-spider posture
- Usually on leaves, flowers, shrubs, grass heads or garden plants
- Sit-and-wait hunter with no permanent prey-catching web
- Legacy names such as Diaea may appear in older captions or online records
What to check next
Photograph the whole spider and plant together, then add a side view showing leg direction and body height. Keep the result at green thomisid or flower spider unless adult anatomy and current taxonomy support more.
When to seek medical help
Australian flower and crab spiders are generally low risk to people. Avoid handling; wash a suspected bite and use a wrapped cold pack for local pain. Seek medical advice if pain is severe, symptoms worsen or an allergic reaction develops.
Where it is usually seen
Leaves, flowers, shrubs, grass heads, woodland understorey and garden plants in eastern, southern and other Australian habitats where crab spiders occur.