Crab Spider

[simon]

I only recently became aware of this impressive predator when I noticed a strange looking white spider sitting on one of my Foxglove flower in this unusual posture with her four forelegs raised and open.



About half an hour later I checked back and found this.



She spent the next couple of weeks on the same flower spike and several times I saw her with another bumble bee. You can sit and watch them swiping at the bees as they enter the flower.

I had never seen one before but they are apparently quite common in the south of England. They can change colour too, turning yellow when hunting on yellow flowers. Has anyone else spotted them before?

[Mark]

I have seen a few but not hunting..I usually try to get rid of them somewhere else in the garden if they are near a path way. Last thing I need is one of them on me :oops:

[Chrisg]

Like mark I have seen them in the garden, but not noticed them hunting or having caught anything.

That is a serious impressive catch

[charlie]

Never spotted one in the act before, impressive as I have seen Bumbles get away from orb spiders just through power and size

Lovely pictures BTW :)