Lynx Spiders are high-energy hunters that act as a "natural pesticide" for Utah gardens. They are agile, colorful, and look distinctly different from almost any other spider in the state.
Like the wild cat they are named after, Lynx spiders are "pouncing" predators.
Ambush PredatorsThey don't build webs to catch food. They spend their days sitting on top of leaves or flowers, waiting for a moth or beetle to fly by.
AgilityThey can leap from leaf to leaf with incredible precision to catch prey in mid-air.
Protective MothersFemale Lynx spiders are very protective. They will guard their egg sac on a leaf and may even "charge" at a human hand if it gets too close.
Are they dangerous to my garden?Quite the opposite! They eat the pests that destroy your vegetables, including caterpillars, aphids, and beetles.
Why do I find them on my tomato plants?Lynx spiders love the "high-traffic" areas of a garden. Tomato plants provide great camouflage and a steady supply of insects for them to eat.
Do they come inside?Rarely. They need the sun and the abundance of garden insects to survive. If one is inside, it likely hitched a ride on a piece of outdoor clothing or a garden tool.
