Zygometis xanthogaster
Yellow-Tailed Crab Spider Identification in Australia
A variable pale crab spider also called the milky flower spider. Females and much smaller males can look quite different.
Usually low risk; avoid handlingAbout Yellow-tailed crab spider
Zygometis xanthogaster is the yellow-tailed crab spider, also called the milky flower spider. It is a small thomisid of Australian vegetation and is recorded beyond Australia as well. Pale white or yellowish females and much smaller males can look unlike one another. Older names, including Zygometis lactea, occur in illustrations and captions.
The specialist field account describes brown head markings and marked leg segments in males, while emphasising substantial colour variation. A female can be around 7.5 mm in body length and a male around 2.5 mm. These are guides to scale, not a way to identify every individual. Compare the sideways front-leg posture, body outline and markings with white flower spiders and other crab spiders. A yellow rear abdomen is not unique to this species. Photograph the plant, the whole animal and any naturally visible side view. There is no need to capture it or interrupt its ambush position for identification.
Identification limit: this guide is a comparison aid. A name match in the identifier does not establish a species record.
Compare similar spiders
- White flower spider / spectacular crab spider
- Flower spider / crab spider
- Hedana green crab spiders
- Pill flower spider
Sources and further reading
- Australian spider specialists: Zygometis xanthogaster
- Australian spider specialists: Thomisidae overview
- Healthdirect: spider-bite first aid
Reviewed 21 September 2026. Identification guide; not a confirmed species diagnosis.
Quick identification
- Pale white or yellowish crab spider
- Females noticeably larger than males
- Brown head or leg markings may be visible
- Variable appearance; yellow colour alone is insufficient
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
Australian woodland and vegetation from coastal to semi-arid settings. An individual locality and adult features are needed for a confident species record.