
Community identification
Crab Spider
Thomisidae
- Order & Family
- Order: Araneae, Family: Thomisidae
- Size
- 2 to 20 mm in body length, varying by species
Natural Habitat
Found on flowers, foliage, tree bark, and sometimes venturing onto walls or indoor surfaces near windows.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous; feeds on insects such as flies, bees, butterflies, and beetles that visit flowers or land nearby.
Behavior Patterns
They do not build webs. Instead, they sit in ambush and use their enlarged front legs to grab prey, often walking sideways or backward like crabs.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits gardens by controlling pest insect populations; poses no significant risk to humans as their venom is weak and bites are extremely rare.