CRAB SPIDER

any member of the family Thomisidae (order Araneida). They are crablike in shape and, like many crabs, walk sideways or backward. The family, which is worldwide in distribution, contains many common species. About 125 species occur in the United States. The body of the crab spider is gray or brown in colour and is about 12 mm (0.5 inch) long. Members of Misumena and Misumenoides, common North American genera, are found chiefly in open spaces, on plants or on fences. They do not spin a web but instead wait in hiding for prey. Misumena vatia, found on flowers, is white or yellow with a red stripe on the side of the abdomen. Over a period of several days it can change colour to match that of the flower on which it rests. Some species of crab spider live on or under the bark of trees. Other spiders sometimes known as crab spiders are found in the families Platoridae, Heteropodidae, and Selenopidae.