Superb Camouflage of the Crab Spider
June 24, 2020
Photographer: Greg Parker
Summary Authors: Greg Parker; Jim Foster
Shown above, camouflaged in white against the flower's identically colored petals, is a crab spider (Misumena vatia). It's captured a hapless bee that buzzed right into its awaiting 8-legs. Crab spiders frequently prey on bumblebees, perhaps partly because the bees primitive eyes cannot readily detect the well-hidden spiders. This spider is a female. Larger than males, females grow an inch (2.5 cm) or more in length, including their legs. Note the small spider on a petal (top center), overlooking the action below. Photo taken just outside the New Forest Observatory in the U. K.
Photo Details: Canon 5D MkII camera; Canon 100 mm macro lens; Canon Ring Lite MR-14EX; ISO 100, 1/200th second exposure, f 25.