Crab spiders, so called because of their appearance, belong to the family Thomisidae. The front two pairs of legs are much studier than the back two pairs, and the spider can move sideways and backwards as well as forwards. The exoskeleton is smooth and can change color somewhat for camouflage. These spiders are usually found on flowers (often yellow ones) where they search or wait for prey insects.

This particular spider is about 8mm long, the span of its front legs is two-and-a-half times its body length, and it has strong chelicerae (fangs). It was found in September near tickseed sunflowers. Apart from the coloring, it resembles a goldenrod spider, M. vatia