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A Trio of Crab Spiders

Thomisus citrinellus

Photo by Bernadette S
Published on Project Noah
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28.5025, 34.5108

Field Notes

Description:

A large white female is eating a yellow female while a small male rides piggyback. This is the first time I've seen one eating their own species. Is that normal?

Habitat:

spotted on the caper bush in my desert garden

Reference Links:

Thomisus, Thomisus (flower crab spiders)

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (2)
Bernadette S
Thanks, Machi! I appreciate your input. I watch these spiders a lot in my garden and had never seen them eat each other, but I guess I'm not really surprised. But I wonder - do they do it to eliminate competition for food/mates, or were they just hungry?
Machi
Very interesting find and great photos! I don't think crab spider cannibalism is unheard of, but you are lucky to have seen and photographed this, especially with the little male piggybacking!

Spotted for Missions

Mission
International Spider Survey
Mission
Nature in Yellow
Mission
Hunters & Animal Food Habits
Mission
Biodiversity in Egypt
Mission
Wildlife of the Sinai Peninsula
Photographed
PublishedMay 24, 2016

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