Crab spider

 

Around here, up to one percent of the daisies play host to a crab spider (Misumena vatia). These spiders will hunt from other flowers, but daisies seem to be a local favourite. Camouflaged to the colour of the petals, they sit and wait for a fly or bee, grab it with their front legs, paralyze it with venom, and then suck it dry. The spider will hunt from the same daisy day after day; these were seen this morning.

A female crab spider waits on the petals of daisy for prey. Its front four legs are longer than others and are used for grabbing the victim and holding it until the poison from the spider’s fangs takes effect.

On a different daisy, a smaller crab spider is consuming a fly.

“Come into my arms.”

 

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2 Responses to Crab spider

  1. lynn says:

    Divine images, Alistair, especially the portrait at the end.

  2. lorna says:

    Agreed, fine caption too.

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