Crab spiders

Family Thomisidae

Thomisus spectabilis with a bee

Crab spiders are no active hunters. They make more use of the camouflage techniques than other spiders and catch their prey with their front legs. The color of the spider is adapted to the hunting terrain they use and is mostly extravagant. They remain unmoved until the prey arrives and catches it. With a poisonous bite (not dangerous to humans) they kill their prey and suck it dry. They can be found on flowers or leaves of plants. Often the crab spider remains for days, even weeks at the same spot. The front two legs, that are often larger and stronger than the other six, are held sideways, ready to catch the prey immediately. Because they sit on easily spotted places they are also easy to catch by the predators. When they spot a possible enemy they move quickly at the other site of the flower or leave. Their eyesight is excellent developed as can be seen on the pictures. They have normally two big front eyes.

Crab spiders are easy recognizable if you tease them. They widen their legs and move side ways like a crab. Their size is between 4 - 10 mm.

The females usually stand guard with their egg sacs. The egg sacs are fastened to the vegetation and are usually flat.

Genus Diaea or flower spider

This spider hides between vegetation, especially in or nearby a flower. Their color is well adapted to its surrounding. Their size is between 5 and 7 mm.

Diaea evanida
Diaea evanida

Diaea ZZ151	Diaea ZZ152

Diaea ZZ402	Diaea ZZ402

Diaea ZZ400 pilula?	Diaea ZZ400 pilula?

Diaea? ZZ148	Diaea? ZZ148

Diaea? ZZ149	Diaea? ZZ150

Genus Tmarus

Nine species are present in Australia. Their color is gray/brown and the are well camouflaged because they can be found along the margins of dead and living leaves or dead twigs. They build small retreats by folding the tip of leaves or grasses. Tmarus can be found hanging at the end of a single snare.


Tmarus species detail of the cephalothorax.	Tmarus species with a prey (by Jurgen Otto)

Genus Thomisus

This is the only species known in this genus in Australia. Its name is Thomisus spectabilis.
As can been seen on the picture below they even catch bees. The spider seizes the bee by its front legs and bites it in the neck. The spider keeps its hold on the bee till the bee gives up its resistance.

Thomisus spectabilis with bee

Thomisus spectabilis white faced

Thomisus spectabilis brown faced

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Ed Nieuwenhuys, January 4, 2009

Ronald Loggen, 5 December 2005