# Green lynx spider (Peucetia viridans) > A bright green, long-legged ambush spider found on shrubs and flowers in the southern United States and the Americas, preying on insects but only rarely biting people. Source: https://insectscanner.com/species/green-lynx-spider/ (updated 2026-10-10) ## Is it dangerous? **Mildly venomous.** Bites are uncommon. If bitten, expect sharp pain, localized swelling and redness; systemic symptoms are rare. Basic first aid: wash the wound with soap and water, apply a cold pack to reduce swelling, and monitor for infection. Seek medical attention for severe pain, spreading redness, allergic reaction or if symptoms worsen. **Pets:** Not considered dangerous to pets. A bite to a small pet could cause temporary pain and swelling but serious reactions are rare. ## Quick facts - Scientific name: Peucetia viridans - Also called: Green lynx - Order: Araneae (Spiders) - Family: Oxyopidae (Lynx spiders) - Size: Females 8-22 mm body length; males 6-12 mm body length - Colours: Bright green, Yellow-green, Red (spots), Black (markings) - Habitat: Shrubs, bushes, tall grasses, garden plants and flowers; prefers warm, sunny vegetation where prey is abundant - Range: Southern United States from the Carolinas and Florida west through Texas and the Southwest to California, plus Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean - Active: Daytime active (diurnal); most commonly seen spring through autumn in warm regions - Lifespan: About 1 year in temperate parts of its range (typical for many temperate spiders) - Effect on plants: Pest predator - Pest: no ## Overview Peucetia viridans is a diurnal ambush predator common on foliage and flowering plants. It waits on leaves, stems or flower heads and uses excellent vision and quick jumps to capture insects. Females are larger and often guard egg sacs. These spiders are active hunters rather than web builders and are frequently seen in gardens and scrubby habitats across the southern United States (from the Southeast to California), Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. They are not aggressive toward humans; bites are uncommon and usually cause only local pain and swelling. Because they eat many pest insects, they are generally beneficial in gardens. ## How to identify it Adults are slender, elongated and predominantly bright green. The abdomen is often tapered and may show small red or orange spots along the dorsal midline and lateral black spots or streaks. Legs are long, spiny and adapted for jumping; hind legs are especially long. The eyes form a compact hexagonal cluster typical of lynx spiders, giving good forward vision. Females are noticeably larger and more robust than males and may show more pronounced markings. - Bright, uniform green body with long spiny legs arranged for jumping. - Tapered abdomen often with small red or orange dorsal spots and black lateral markings. - Diurnal on leaves and flowers; does not sit in a web waiting for prey. ## Lookalikes - **Striped lynx spider** (Oxyopes salticus): O. salticus is more brownish or orange with distinct striping rather than the uniform bright green of Peucetia viridans. - **Other Peucetia species** (Peucetia spp.): Other Peucetia can be similar in shape but differ in regional range and details of dorsal markings; close examination or expert ID may be required. - **Goldenrod crab spider** (Misumena vatia): Crab spiders have a flattened, crab-like stance and can change color to match flowers; they lack the long spiny legs and jumping posture of lynx spiders. ## Life cycle - **Egg sac:** Female produces one or more silk egg sacs, often attached to stems or leaves and guarded by the female until spiderlings emerge. - **Juvenile (spiderling):** Spiderlings hatch and go through several molts (instars), resembling miniature adults and gradually growing larger. - **Adult spider:** Sexual maturity reached after multiple molts; adults mate and females produce egg sacs, completing the annual cycle. ## Diet and predators - Young eat: Small insects and other arthropods found on plants - Adults eat: Insects captured on foliage and flowers including flies, moths, bees, wasps and grasshoppers - Predators of the young: Birds, predatory insects, ants and other spiders - Predators of adults: Birds, larger spiders and wasps that parasitize spiders ## Effect on plants and gardens Feeds on insects found on plants and flowers (pollinators and pests alike); overall beneficial by reducing herbivorous pests ## Where and when to find it Look on leaves, stems and flower heads of shrubs, garden plants and tall grasses. Check flowering plants during daylight when they hunt. - Best time: Spring through autumn in warm regions; daytime (they are diurnal). - Tips: Approach slowly and use a macro lens or close-focus camera; photograph them on flowers to show hunting posture. Do not disturb females guarding egg sacs. ## Fun facts - Females are known to aggressively guard their egg sacs, sometimes fending off much larger animals. - Green lynx spiders can jump quickly to capture prey and may leap several body lengths. - They are active hunters that often perch on brightly colored flowers where insect prey is abundant. ## Frequently asked questions ### Are green lynx spiders dangerous to humans? Only mildly. Bites are rare and usually cause only local pain and swelling; serious medical problems are uncommon. ### Do green lynx spiders bite? They can bite if handled or trapped against the skin, but they do not seek out people. Most bites heal without complications. ### Why is there a green spider on my plants? They hunt on plants and flowers where insect prey congregates. A green spider is likely using your plants as a hunting ground and is beneficial for pest control. ### How can I get rid of green lynx spiders? They are beneficial predators; removal by gently relocating the spider outdoors is best. If removal is necessary, use a jar and paper to capture and release. Chemical controls are not recommended in gardens because they kill beneficial insects too. ### Where do green lynx spiders live? They live on shrubs, tall grasses and flowering plants in warm, sunny habitats across the southern United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. --- More about this species: [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/126777), [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peucetia_viridans). Identify insects and spiders from a photo with the Insect Scanner iPhone app: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1543946563?pt=126685406&ct=web-markdown&mt=8 Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.