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Spider crab

Misumena vatia

Photo by The MnMs
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

Crab spider preying on a less fortunate Maniola jurtina.
These spiders may be yellow or white, depending on the flower in which they are hunting. Especially younger females, which may hunt on a variety of flowers such as daisies and sunflowers, may change color "at will".

Habitat:

Prairie.
Molenbeek, Erps-Kwerps.
http://oud.kortenberg.com/kaardebol/molenbeekvallei.htm

Reference Links:

Misumena vatia, ARABEL - Arachnologia Belgica

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (18)
The MnMs
Thanks James, Madalena and the rest :-)
Caleb Steindel
great educational photo, way to catch the hunting habits of spider crabs!
The MnMs
Thank for the nice comments :-) I was lucky I noticed it just when I was making pictures of the orchids nearby :-)
SG in CR
Nice series. This is one of those scenes I've wanted to capture and have never had a camera around the couple times I've seen it happen. You captured it really well.
DrNamgyalTSherpa
What a spotting, Marta. The white of the spider's reproduced so truly. And even the poor skipper's caught so sharply, for a moment I took it that the white spider's under it! Congrats, Marta.
The MnMs
Many thanks for appreciating it, Neil! :-)
Neil Ross
What an amazing spider, and excellent spotting. Very nice, Marta.
The MnMs
Thanks Suz! I indeed found it by chance while I was looking at the orchids in the area :-)
suzmonk
Hard to watch scenes like this sometimes ... but what a lucky find. Good job.
The MnMs
Thanks guys! I found it a cool moment although I could not help but feel pity for the butterfly..but hey, the spider needs to eat too! :-)
Stephanie R.
Wow! That is a wicked looking spider! Wonderful photos, Marta.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
International Spider Survey
Mission
Hunters & Animal Food Habits
Mission
Biodiversity in Belgium
Mission
National Geographic's Great Nature Project
Mission
2014 Best Wildlife Photo

Tags

Photographed
PublishedAugust 16, 2014

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