The green lynx spider (Peucetia viridans) is a common, bright green spider found in Mexico, known for its hunting agility on shrubs and crops. Often found in prickly pear cactus, they do not use webs to hunt, instead, they pounce on prey, are active during the day, and can change color to match their surroundings. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Key Facts about the Green Lynx Spider:

• Appearance: Females have bright green bodies (sometimes with red spots) and legs with long black spines.
• Size: Females are roughly 12–22 mm (0.5–0.87 inches) long, while males are more slender and smaller.
• Behavior: They are primarily hunting spiders, moving quickly on foliage. Females fiercely guard their egg sacs, which contain roughly 200–600 bright orange eggs.
• Diet: They eat many insects, including honey bees, moths, and wasps.
• Bites: They rarely bite humans. If they do, the venomous bite is painful but not deadly, potentially causing swelling up to 7–10 inches in diameter.
• Location: Native to the Southern US, Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]