Crab spider, araña cangrejo

Description:

The adult males reach 2–4 millimetres of length, females are 7–8 millimetres long. They can mostly be encountered from May through August on flowering plants (especially yellow or red Apiaceae species), waiting for their preys. The two pairs of the front legs, used for hunting the flower-feeding insects, are more developed than the rear ones, which have a predominant motor function. The main peculiarity of this species is the basic coloration of the abdomen, that can be red, orange, yellow or white, with a black pattern. Prosoma and legs are black or dark brown. These spiders do not make a web, but actively hunt their preys.

Habitat:

Pine tree and Holm oak forest. Spotted on a Rockrose flower (Jara pringosa).

Notes:

Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/200 sec.; f/32; ISO Speed Rating: 800. Exposure Bias: +2/3 EV. Focal Length: 300.0 mm.