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Gasteracantha cancriformis
Spiny, crab like in appearance. Females 5-9mm long and 10-13mm wide. Males 2-3mm long and a small amount shorter in width. 6 abdominal spines. Different colors. Most have white spot on underside. Some may also have colored legs.
Trees or around trees on shrubs. Temperate; Tropical; terrestrial
Ecosystem role: Preys on small insects/pests. Helps control overpopulation of such insects. Can bite. Spines can puncture skin if handles wrong. Information above taken from Animal Diversity Web- University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.