Crab spiders

Crab spiders (Thomisidae) are distinctive in body shape. All of the legs extend sideways from the cephalothorax. The first two pairs of legs are larger than the last two, which gives them a crablike appearance. They move about by walking sideways or backwards.

Crab spiders do not spin webs but capture their prey by ambush. Several species are brightly colored and wait for their prey on flowers. They are known to catch a variety of flies and bees that come to flowers collecting pollen.

G7386, revised March 2003