Crab spider
Crab spiders are the Thomisidae family of spiders. The group has 170 genera with over 2000 species.
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| Camouflaged crab spider on a violet flower | |
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| Family: | Thomisidae
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They have two front pairs of legs angled outward and bodies that are flattened and often angular. Also, like crabs, Thomisidae spiders can move sideways or backwards.
Crab spiders are hunters and ambushers. Some species sit on or among flowers, bark, fruit or leaves where they grab visiting insects. Crab spiders use their powerful front legs to grab and hold onto prey while paralyzing it with a venomous bite.
They are camouflaged: several different types are known.[1] Even at a close range, it is difficult to see the spider. Some species are disguised as birds' droppings resting on a leaf. Crab spiders live in rainforests all over the world. They get their name from the way they scuttle around like small crabs.[2]
Images
Crab spider's yellow legs can be seen; it has grabbed the butterfly.
A crab spider hiding in the Twin Lantana
Crab spider with fly prey
Crab Spider Media
Crab spider feeding on a Junonia atlites butterfly in a Zinnia elegans flower
Crab spider waiting in ambush, Behbahan, Iran
Misumena vatia female
Ant-mimic Amyciaea sp., Karnataka, India
Phyrnarachne sp. mimicking bird-dropping, Karnataka, India
Runcinia sp., Goa, India
References
- ↑ Platnick, Norman I. 2010. The world spider catalog, version 10.5. American Museum of Natural History.
- ↑ Ganeri, Anita (2000). Jungle Animals: over 100 questions and answers to things you want to know. Dubai, U.A.E. ISBN 0-75254-909-X.