Goldenrod crab spider killing Bumble Bee

Goldenrod crab spider killing Bumble Bee

Goldenrod crab spider Misumena vatia is a species of crab spider with holarctic distribution. In North America, where it the largest and most well-known flower spider, it is called the Goldenrod crab spider, because it is commonly found hunting in Goldenrod sprays in the autumn. Females can grow up to 10mm (without legs), males reach 5mm at most. Young females in the early summer may be quite small and easily overlooked. These spiders may be yellow or white, depending on the flower in which they are hunting. Especially younger females, which may hunt on a variety of flowers such as daisies and sunflowers, may change color "at will" (aggressive mimicry). Older females require large amounts of relatively large prey to produce the best possible clutch of eggs. They are, therefore, in North America most commonly found in Goldenrod (Solidago sp.), a bright yellow flower which attracts large numbers of insects, especially in autumn. It is often very hard even for a searching human to recognize one of these spiders on a yellow flower. wikipedia
BazZ
on Jun 10, 2007 11:33 am
Image Type(s): Wildlife
Image ID: 300184

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rdmc

rdmc - Jun 10, 2007 12:12 pm - Voted 10/10

Close enough?

Awesome picture... but I despise spiders...
so this is the only way to get close enough to get a good look at them. :o)

BazZ

BazZ - Jun 10, 2007 12:37 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Close enough?

Thanks, He had a hard job, the bee was still alive when I took the pictures.

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