Come, let me hug you!
Many times I mentioned that Jumping Spiders are my most favourite spiders. But Crab Spiders are right on the second place! A bit more creepy than the cute_big_eyed_plush_toys (yes, I mean Jumping spider here), but they are beautiful in their own way. With their amazing ability to camouflage, long crab-like legs (thus the name I guess), and speed.
In the garden I see mostly white and green/yellow ones. But if you google them you will see the amazing range of colours and shapes.
They will blend with the flower they hunt on so well I sometimes see them only after I took photographs of the flower. Sometimes I notice them because I see the dead bee and it turns out there is a spider there holding it.
Tiny Masters of camouflage!
This one I spotted on the plant my mum grows in her garden.
And he was on a mission...
Preparing...
Sneaking...
And this is what he was after. Just a flower away.
This one got away, but I saw many time how those crab spiders hunt and catch much larger bees. I always feel bad for the bee, but everyone gotta eat, right?
Few extra shots of a different one to show how invisible they can be. Only the victim shows their presence. Also found at mum's garden.
Shot with Nikon D5500 + Sigma 105mm lens
All photos and text are my own.
@tipu curate
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Dzieki :)
Lovely pics of tiny creatures among bright colours.
Thank you :)
Very cool, I have never seen a crab spider but I totally understand why you like them. Very stealthy hunters, it is amazing how they camouflage themselves in the flower and ambush hunt their prey. Do you know if they change colors or are they that color and find the flower they need to hide in?
They are pretty cool indeed.
I never thought of that. I think they stay that colour and hunt on specific flowers.
I saw some brown ones too on the same yellow flower, but it was definitely a different one.
https://twitter.com/Bhattg18/status/1316196740559585286
very beautiful and I have never seen a spider that is so unique.
Thanks! Those are hard to spot :)
When I was a young child I tried to describe one of these spiders to my mom but I think she thought I meant an actual crab and not a spider. So I think she thought I was crazy lol. It's cool to see such a small spider be able to take out a big bee. One good thing is that bee is probably a meal for several days and the spider won't have to take another bee for quite some time. It must be sustainable for both species.
Haha :D "A crab on a flower? what are you talking about kiddo?" :P
They are fast and furious. I was amazed myself to see such tiny one with huge bee.
Of course it is all planned in nature and that's how it was for a long time.
Super Photo!
I simply adore these beautiful bees!