Peucetia viridana - Green lynx spider

Peucetia viridana is a green colored Lynx spider with cephalothorax having brown spots generally found on grass and low shrubs. These spiders have capability of running fast and launching itself onto its prey. Although they trail a dragline when they move, they don’t build a web and wait for a meal to fly into their trap. These spiders are seen lying waiting patiently for an opportunity, stalk them and launch attack just like that of a Lynx in the wild. The head region has a few spines and the centre has deep fovea which is green in colour. The abdomen is long, narrowing behind and covered with fine hair. A longitudinal deep brown line runs through the center of the abdomen with lateral branches. This Green Lynx also plays a significant role in agriculture pest management as they are important predators for crop feeding pests. They feed on crop-eating pest moths and also their larvae acting like a natural insecticide/pesticide. A Green colored lynx spider (Peucetia viridana) sits camouflaged among the green leaves on the branch of a holy basil, tulsi or tulasi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) plant waiting for its prey at Tehatta, West Bengal; India on 08/11/2024.