Crab Spider (Thomisidae)
One of the greatest joys of having a flower garden is watching the many critters that its success attracts. This year the most interesting visitor to my mini nature preserve was a crab spider that positioned itself on a purple dahlia.
Crab spiders forego elaborate web building, instead these stealthy predators earn their nickname "flower spiders" as they will sit for days at a time on a flower waiting for a meal. Their unsuspecting prey might be a butterfly or honeybee simply going about their normal flowering business.
Crab spiders are found throughout the world and come in many different colors. One species can even change shades to better blend into its cover. So look closely at your flowers this spring and you might just catch a glimpse of this marvelous creature in action.
One of the greatest joys of having a flower garden is watching the many critters that its success attracts. This year the most interesting visitor to my mini nature preserve was a crab spider that positioned itself on a purple dahlia.
Crab spiders forego elaborate web building, instead these stealthy predators earn their nickname "flower spiders" as they will sit for days at a time on a flower waiting for a meal. Their unsuspecting prey might be a butterfly or honeybee simply going about their normal flowering business.
Crab spiders are found throughout the world and come in many different colors. One species can even change shades to better blend into its cover. So look closely at your flowers this spring and you might just catch a glimpse of this marvelous creature in action.
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