It’s all white

The camouflage tactics of the White Crab Spider (Thomisus spectabilis) have been previously documented but it has only been recently that I have seen them in action.

Spring blossoms are a mecca for pollinators of all sorts – bees, wasps, beetles and for amateur photographers like myself it is a time to get up close and personal with them in the hope of getting at least one decent picture. Recently a heavily blossomed Melaleuca was abuzz with pollinators rapidly moving from flower to flower. It was therefore quite strange to see a European Honeybee motionless on one of the blooms.

Closer examination revealed the bee to be prey to a White Crab Spider (pictured above). These spiders are ambush predators, hiding amid the flowers and then grabbing with powerful front legs any pollinator that ventures too close. The prey is then rendered immobile with venom. In the picture (above) it is easy to see how the spider can easily blend into the background of the flower. Just try to make out the legs!

It’s all white though. These spiders are not harmful to humans.