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Thomisus citrinellus
A large white female is eating a yellow female while a small male rides piggyback. This is the first time I've seen one eating their own species. Is that normal?
spotted on the caper bush in my desert garden
Spotted on May 22, 2016
Submitted on May 24, 2016
2 Comments
Thanks, Machi! I appreciate your input. I watch these spiders a lot in my garden and had never seen them eat each other, but I guess I'm not really surprised. But I wonder - do they do it to eliminate competition for food/mates, or were they just hungry?
Very interesting find and great photos! I don't think crab spider cannibalism is unheard of, but you are lucky to have seen and photographed this, especially with the little male piggybacking!