Australomisidia cruentata

Fact Box Species: Australomisidia cruentata (Identification source: see notes below) Family: Thomisidae Body length: female: 5 mm male: 3 mm Habitat: It is claimed that this species mostly hides in flowers where its colour provides excellent camouflage, allowing it to ambush any insect that is attracted by the flower's nectar Toxicity: The toxicity of this spider towards humans is unknown but its small size means the risk is probably minimal

Another view Immature male Male, front view Underneath male

In 2014 the name of this species was changed from Xysticus bilimbatus to the one shown above by P. Szymkowiak in Annales of Zoologici Warszawa, Volume 64, pages 333-477.

Note that the abdominal markings on the male are not identical to those on the female. This degree of variation between sexes and between individual specimens is not uncommon among spiders. There is no other described Australian thomisid species that is a closer match for the male shown above.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Several other thomisid genera.