Sunday 20 October 2013

The Crab Spider


The Crab Spider
 
Misumena vatia
 
The white crab spider is the most common of the crab spiders, and the yellow, the less common. They are mainly slow-moving, squat-bodied spiders, which bear a striking resemblance to crabs.While lying in wait on a flower, the two pairs of long front legs, strongly armed with bristles on their inner edges, are held out in anticipation, ready to fold inwards in a pincer movement on insects which approach too closely, and then the spiders fangs go for the neck. The spiders powerful nerve poison quickly paralysis the victom. The Misumena vatia seems adept at subduing stinging insects such as hive bees, bumblebees, and the meadow brown and marbled white butterflies are frequently caught by the Misumena. 

58 comments:

seijastiina said...

Very nice spider.
Lovely photos ♥

Noushka said...

Great pics, well done!
Its been a while since I had an opportunity to take misumena vatia photos!
Love to seen them here!
This is definitely a spider that knows how to adapt its color according to the flower it squats until it dies!
Cheers, enjoy your evening!

Optimistic Existentialist said...

EEEEKKKK!! I have a fear of spiders :)

TexWisGirl said...

so very cool! love these macros!

Our photos said...

The spider photos are beautiful!
Greetings,RW & SK

Giga said...

Drugi jest sprytny, bo usiadł na kwiatku kolorem do niego podobny. Oba zdjecia bardzo ładne. Pozdrawiam.
The second is smart, because he sat on a flower color like him. Both pictures very nice. Yours.

Adam said...

quite the unique spider

Amazing wonders in my life said...

Never seen before.... Awesome pic..

Mike Attwood said...

Its a wonder you even saw it. Well done.

Linda said...

Your photos are fantastic. Fascinating spider.

Maria said...

I had no idea; I love the first one with the white and the pink; they are intriguing!

Stephanie said...

The yellow one almost disappear in the yellow flower. Clever spider hehe... Breathtaking, have a great week :-)

Breathtaking said...

Seija Torpstrom

Thank you Seija! Depending on how much you like spiders,I think the crab spider a pretty spider.

Marijke said...

Fantastic captured spider. And great to read some background information.
Have a wonderful day Sonjia.

karmnik54 said...

piękny pająk:)

Ercotravels said...

You got beautiful capture of white spider. Indeed, looking cute..

Bob Bushell said...

Nice crab spider, you did it well.

Breathtaking said...

Noushka
Hi! Thank you! I couldn't believe my eyes when I spotted this spider.A first for me, but an exciting find.

Breathtaking said...

Optimistic existentialist
Photographing spiders lessens the fear, makes them more interesting and appealing, but I wouldn't want one in my bed.:=D

Breathtaking said...

TexWisGirl
Cool Crab!!!:)

Breathtaking said...

Our Photos
Thank you RW SK!

Breathtaking said...

Giga
Thank you Giga!:)In the second photo the spider is very cleverly camouflaged.

Breathtaking said...

Adam
Hi Adam!:) You are right! It's a very unique spider indeed.

Breathtaking said...

Amazing wonders in my life

Thank you!:) Glad to show you something new!

Many thanks for your visit!

Breathtaking said...

Mike Attwood
Thank you Mike!:) I did think I was seeing things at first!!

Breathtaking said...

Linda
Thank you Linda!:)Yes, fascinating and deadly!

Breathtaking said...

Maria
I think they are so inofensive looking, especially on brightly coloured flowers. They almost look pretty!!

Breathtaking said...

Stephanie
Hi Steph!:)It's a very clever disguise. Nature constantly amazes me!
Have a good week too!

Breathtaking said...

marijke
Thank you Marijke!:)These spiders fascinate me and I have posted several different coloured ones here on my blog, but this is the first time I have actually given information about it. So pleased you enjoyed reading this.:)

Have a good week my friend!

Breathtaking said...

Ercotravels

Thank you!:Há há!! Who would have thought that a spider could look cute!:)

Breathtaking said...

Karmnik54
The white, pink, or yellow spiders look less scary and are prettier, and cuter!

Breathtaking said...

Bob Bushell
Thank you Bob!:)They are quite pretty to look at but deadly if you are an insect!

Anonymous said...

The photos are so interesting, never seen or heared about this spiders before. If you hadn´t written about the yellow one, i´m not sure I had seen it.
Clever way to hide is basic in nature and it always fascinate me.
All the best greetings
M

Unknown said...

Oh WOW!! What great captures.

Hugs~

Breathtaking said...

M
Hi Monika!:) I was gardening, my other passion, and saw the crab spider hiding in the flower.The yellow one was very well disguised.
Nature is incredible!!

Breathtaking said...

Linda R
Thank you Linda!:)The yellow spider was a first for me, and I was so excited to get these captures. Glad you like them!:)

MastHoliday said...

Amazing photo!! love its, Indeed.

Breathtaking said...

MastHoliday

Thank you so much!:)

Anonymous said...

Hi Sonjia!

The way nature works is a "miracle" in itself.Even when presenting us theses crab spiders and the way they make a living - not at all appealing in taste, I would say...

Good text, and great photos.

Have a good week, with a hug.
Vitor

Breathtaking said...

vitorchuvashortstories

Hi Vitor!

Not your cup of tea then!!:=D They are not mine either, but I still find them intriguing.Thank you for your lovely comment, and have a good week also.

Ajay Kumar said...

Love both captures!!
Awesome clicks..
Hugs
Ajay


Breathtaking said...

Ajay Kumar
Thank you so much!:)

Ana Mínguez Corella said...

Interesting spider and great macro.. Thanks for comment. Regards.

Breathtaking said...

Ana Minguez Corella
Thank you Ana!:) You are very welcome!

Anonymous said...

Cool picture of the crab spider!

You got alot of really nice shots on your site.

check out my site sometime; Beautiful Color

Michael

Breathtaking said...

michaelswoodcraft

Hi Michael!:)

Thank you!:) I have already visited your site and seen the beautifully crafted wooden things you make, but found that I could not comment. I will return, and see if I have better luck.

Many thanks for your visit.

May Ann Francisco said...

Beautiful flower...

Rohrerbot said...

That is a cool spider! I almost missed it in the second photo. Amazing camouflage. Thank you for leaving such a thoughtful comment. The most I've learned we can do is just enjoy the moment for who knows what tomorrow will bring?

Rita Vaselli said...

Dear Sonija how wonderful pictures! But I do not like spiders ... only you can turn them into works of art that I can see at least for a few moment!
Have nice days in your lovely garden!Warm hugs!Rita.

Breathtaking said...

Cutella
Hello Cutella! Thank you for passing by.

Breathtaking said...

Chris Rohrer
It would come in usful to be able to camouflage ourselves in the same way as the yellow spider!:)

You are absolutely right Chris, about living in the moment.Enjoy your day!:)



Breathtaking said...

Rita Vaselli
Thank you Rita!:) I don't care much for spiders either Rita, but do find them intriquing. These are less scary looking than the ones I soon intend to post.I'll understand if you don't visit!:=D

It's been dull and raining for a few days now, so I haven't been in my garden.It looks as though it's here to stay.:(
Warm Hugs
Take care.

Silenciosamente ouvindo... said...

Belíssimas as suas fotos - são sempre. Depois aprendo com as
mesmas quando me mostra coisas
que eu desconhecia como este tipo
de aranhas.
Obrigada pela partilha.
Bom fim de semana.
Bj.
Irene Alves

Stephanie said...

Breathtaking, just wanted to let you know that the Chinese Fringe Flower is a shrub. Glad you notice it. I love the shrub a lot :-D Have a great Sunday and enjoy Nature!

Stuart Price said...

Î like eating crab but Crab spiders look a little to creepy for my tastes...........

Breathtaking said...

Silenciosamente Ouvindo

Thank you Irene!I am so pleased to show you something new.
Have a good week.
Bjs.

Breathtaking said...

Stephanie

Oh, thats so thoughtful of you Stephanie. It's a really pretty
shrub, and I am going to look out for it the next time I go to the nursary.
Have a great week!:)

Breathtaking said...

Stuart
I don't much care for the larger species of spider,.. the ones with the long legs are very creepy, but I don't mind this kind.

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