For the first time in my life, I encountered an entirely yellow spider. You would think that identification would be easy. My best guess is that it is a Yellow Crab Spider. Most odd is that I found it affixed to the driver’s side door of my car, a highly questionable location to be setting up shop.
The Yellow Crab Spider, scientifically known as Misumena vatia, is a species of crab spider found in North America and Europe. It is notable for its ability to change color to match its surroundings, primarily yellow or white, allowing it to camouflage effectively on flowers such as daisies and goldenrods. This spider’s front legs are longer and extend sideways, resembling a crab, which helps it ambush prey, typically pollinating insects like bees and butterflies. Females are larger than males, and after mating, they lay eggs and guard them until they hatch. The Yellow Crab Spider does not spin webs to catch prey but instead relies on its camouflage and agility to capture insects.