Amyciaea albomaculata
Green Tree Ant-Mimicking Spider Identification in Australia
An ant-mimicking crab spider associated with green tree ants. Its disguise and prey differ from those of ordinary flower spiders.
Usually low risk; avoid handlingAbout Green tree ant-mimicking spider
Amyciaea albomaculata is a crab spider in Thomisidae that imitates green tree ants. Australian Museum accounts describe it taking ants as prey and retreating on silk after a catch. Its ant-like shape and behaviour help explain why a quick glance may miss that it is a spider.
Look for eight legs and a two-part spider body. Antenna-like front-leg positioning and dark spots at the rear can contribute to the disguise, but a single green or brown colour is weak evidence. A tropical setting with green tree ants is more relevant than finding a green spider anywhere in Australia. Compare it with Myrmarachne jumping-spider mimics and with small green crab spiders. They belong to different lineages and do not all use the same hunting method. Do not handle the spider or disturb the ants to test its behaviour. Photograph a naturally exposed individual and record the plant setting.
Identification limit: this guide is a comparison aid. A name match in the identifier does not establish a species record.
Compare similar spiders
Sources and further reading
- World Spider Catalog: Amyciaea albomaculata
- Australian Museum: ant mimicry and hunting
- Wet Tropics Management Authority: ant mimicry
- Healthdirect: spider-bite first aid
Reviewed 21 September 2026. Identification guide; not a confirmed species diagnosis.
Quick identification
- Ant-like crab-spider body
- Eight legs, not six legs and antennae
- Green-tree-ant habitat in tropical northern Australia
- Front legs and abdominal spots can contribute to mimicry
What to check next
Photograph the whole spider and its surroundings without disturbing it. Use the clues together; a close match is not a confirmed species identification.
When to seek medical help
For a suspected bite, contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26. Call 000 for breathing difficulty, collapse or other severe symptoms. Do not wait for an online identification.
Where it is usually seen
Tropical northern Australian vegetation associated with green tree ants. Locality and the ant association are supporting evidence rather than proof of species.