Green Linx Spider

     Scientific Nomenclature: Peucetia viridans

   
      The green linx spider, or Peucetia viridans is the largest North American member of the oxyopidae family and typically inhabits leafy vegetation. They are a remarkable lime green hue with the female's size ranging up to twenty-two milimeters, and the male having a more slender build and size up to twelve milimeteds long.

     Six chevron-like patterns of white line the abdomen, and red spots appear near the eyes as adults. Most members of the oxyopidae family have thin, black spines protruding from their legs. A strikingly similar species, known as Peucetia longipalpia also dwells within the United States. Although nearly identical, their bodies are not as decorated, and they tend to be shorter than Peucetia viridans.
     A pigment known as tetrapyrrole is decreased in late adulthood, modifying the color to a more yellow hue, perhaps as an adaptation to blend in with the changing colors of leaves. Females become quite aggressive in September through October, and as a line of defense to protect their egg sac, they can eject venom from their chelicerae, or fangs, up to almost a foot away.
     These spiders can be found across the southern United States and California. They also thrive in Central America, the West Indies, and Venezuela. They usually dwell on such leafy vegetation as shrubs and hedges.