Green Lynx Spider

Description:

Bright-green spider usually found on shrubs. It is the largest North American lynx spider.The female reaches a body length of 22 millimeters (0.87 in); the more slender male averages 12 millimeters (0.47 in). The eye region is clothed with white appressed hairs. The legs are green to yellow, with very long black spines, and covered with black spots.

Habitat:

My backyard, on and around the potted herb plants on my patio.

Notes:

This species occurs in the southern United States,Some parts in Northern California, Central America, the West Indies, and Venezuela. Lynx spiders are important predators of crop-damaging insects. They are active runners and leapers and do not spin webs to catch prey. (no kidding, I had to chase this one down to get some photographs...it moved fast.)