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Green crab spider

Diaea sp.

Photo by Mark Ridgway
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

At first this seemed to be a ladybird (Coccinellidae) pupa then it started moving. Abdomen was approximately 6mm long and grey-green with distinct white patterns. The rest of the animal was the same colour as the acacia plant it was living on.

Habitat:

On Acacia mearnsii in a large nature reserve.

Notes:

Diaea is a spider genus of the family Thomisidae (crab spiders)
Kristi's Tas version http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6240/6301659102_c362584398_o.jpg

Is this one related to the yellow flower version seen last week on the same species of plant? http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/40213006

Species ID Suggestions

Green Orb Weaver

Araniella maderiana

Reference Link
Jason Alexander
0

Comments (3)
Jason Alexander
Well, hope we will find the ID soon for this unique spider.. :)
Mark Ridgway
Thanks for that Jason however I think it's a different one. Araniella maderiana is not found in southern Australia and the eye pattern is different. I think this is a crab spider specialising in the local acacia species. Here's another shot of it in Tasmania on Acacia (but the experts can't name it yet either) http://www.flickr.com/photos/22953763@N02/6301130375/in/photolist-aANWwT-9qXe6a-99QC9R

Spotted for Missions

Mission
International Spider Survey
Mission
Dandenong Ranges - fauna & flora
Mission
Mission WILD

Tags

Photographed
PublishedOctober 1, 2013

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