Crab Spiders

Crab or Flower Spider (Thomisus spectabilis, family Thomisidae)

Female White Crab Spider.

Identification

Crab-like appearance with front legs directed back like elbow and then forwards. All yellow or all white spiders.

Leg span about a 50cent coin.

Distribution

Eastern Australia. Common in suburbs where they associate with white and yellow flowers but are also found on white clothing (e.g. nappies) on clothes lines.

Bite

Frequently involved in bites; most are more vigorous than most spiders and cause local pain, redness, swelling, nausea, dizziness, and headache. Most problems have passed within 1-2 hours.

Venom: Judged by the incidence of more vigorous bites, the venom could be significant.

Notes

Main prey: Bees, butterflies. The spider rests in flower and captures pollinating insects.

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