Mecaphesa oreades

Natural history and identification

This Hawaiian crab spider was treated as Misumenops oreades in Suman’s revision. The described male has a pale abdomen with three pairs of dark spots; the female lacks that dorsal pattern. Mature genital structures distinguish it from similar species, so coloration alone is insufficient. The revision includes a Nualolo Trail specimen. On Hawaiʻi Island it was collected beneath bark and on moss; Oʻahu specimens recovered from mud-dauber cells document predation on the spider. These observations should not be mistaken for Kauaʻi breeding or prey records.

Kauaʻi occurrence and evidence

Atlas occurrence category: Present. The Kauaʻi record is classified as “Present”. Its cited evidence source is iNaturalist Kauaʻi checklist.

Evidence limits

The cited observations describe the evidence currently available for this account. They do not establish a complete life history or a measured current Kauaʻi population trend.

Names and classification

Scientific name

Mecaphesa oreades

Family

Thomisidae

Order

Araneae

Record type

species

Kauaʻi occurrence and status

Kauaʻi occurrence

Present

Origin

Endemic

Conservation status

Not assessed

Process and seasonal context

Seasonal description

This Hawaiian crab spider was treated as Misumenops oreades in Suman’s revision.

Sources and further reading

• iNaturalist Kauaʻi checklist
• Natural history and identification — species source