aka Crab Spider
Today, I watched a crab spider maneuver a fly that was twice as big as she was. I have seen many insects stuck in spider webs, but I have never seen any spider with a fresh catch.
Crab Spider with Fly
My yard has scores of crab spiders. Crab spider is the common name for the spiny-backed orb-weaver, or if you want to get really scientific, Gasteracantha cancriformis.
You can identify a female crab spider very easily. The bright red spines and her black-spotted, white abdomen make her immediately recognizable. A quick glance is not enough. I have been known to stop and stare on a regular basis. I am totally fascinated by them.
Crab Spider and Web
I never bother crab spiders. In fact, I go out of my way to avoid disturbing their webs. They are great at controlling mosquitoes and gnats in the yard and on the screened pool deck.
Not Your Usual Spider
Dorsal Side of a Crab Spider
Female crab spiders are not quite a half an inch in diameter. The dorsal side of the female’s abdomen is dark with small spots. The male crab spider is much smaller than the female… about a third of her size and has no spines. The male’s colors are similar to the female, but where she is white, he is grayish.
‘Will you walk into my parlour? said the spider to the fly.’
I am fairly sure that most people are familiar with Mary Howitt‘s poem, The Spider and the Fly. The minute I saw this crab spider with a grip on her lunch, I thought of this poem. Later in the day, I listened to a reading of the poem online. Seeing the crab spider was good, and being able to listen to Howitt’s poem made even better.
Tags: Crab Spiders · Mary Howitt · Spiney-backed Orb-weavers · The Spider and the Fly2 Comments
Very Cool Spider…I had forgotten about the poem. I did reember the saying and now i am going to google and listen to the poem again too! Thanks!
No need to google it. Just click on the blue title in this post. Very nice reading of it.