Did you know there are spiders called White banded crab spiders? They’re part of a big family named Thomisidae. These spiders live in the United States and Canada. Their name comes from the white line near their face, just below their eyes.
Size: The females with a body length of 0.20 – 0.44 inches (5.0 – 11.3 mm) are larger than their male counterparts that are 0.10 – 0.13 inches (2.5 – 3.2 mm) long.
Color: The color is different in both sexes. The females may have a light brown, yellow, or white body, with brown, black, or red abdominal markings (though absent in some). The males are mostly shiny red, green, or yellow, with black or dark brown front legs, and yellow or green hind legs, as well as a golden-colored abdomen. While the female has a variable color pattern, which changes at different stages of their life cycle, with the surroundings they are in, the males remain the same throughout. Both sexes have a white facial band, as mentioned above.
Other Characteristic Features: They have a wide abdomen that seems round or triangular when seen from above. Like most other species of their family, the first and second pairs of their legs are longer than the third and fourth.
Eggs
Their egg sac is white, lens-shaped, with a diameter of 0.39 – 0.55 inches (10 – 14 mm), containing 80 – 180 tan-colored eggs.
Spiderlings
Not much detail remains available about the spiderlings, but for the fact that they closely resemble adults after hatching.
The Web
Like other crab spider species, this one too does not spin webs but waits for their prey by hiding inside a flower.
Are White Banded Crab Spiders Venomous?
Yes, White Banded Crab spiders have venom. But for humans, it’s typically not harmful.
Can White Banded Crab Spiders Bite?
Yes, White Banded Crab spiders can bite. They might if they’re scared, but the bite usually doesn’t hurt much, like a tiny pinch.
Ecological Importance and Behavior of White Banded Crab Spider
These spiders are important for controlling insect populations, including mites, butterflies, and honeybees. Their ability to camouflage within flowers not only serves as a hunting tactic but also aids in avoiding detection by predators.
Natural Predators: White Banded Crab Spiders face predation from ants, wasps, birds, and lizards. These interactions highlight their role as both predators and prey within their ecosystems.
Prey-Predator Dynamics: Their venom allows them to immobilize prey quickly, an adaptation that ensures their survival as effective hunters among flowers.
Relationship with Humans: Interactions between humans and White Banded Crab Spiders are minimal. While they are capable of biting, such instances are rare and typically result in minimal discomfort, similar to a light pinch.
Quick Facts
Other Names
Ridge-faced flower spider
Distribution
Parts of the United States and Canada
Habitat
Mostly on flowers
Predators
Ants, wasps, birds, and lizards
Diet
Mites, butterflies, and honeybees
Lifespan
Approximately 1 year
Did You Know
The white banded crab spider, particularly the females, can camouflage by changing their color (white to yellow) in accordance with the flower they are sitting on waiting for their prey.
Their white or yellow ridge on the face gives them the name ridge-faced flower spider.
In conclusion, White Banded Crab Spiders are not just captivating creatures due to their color-changing abilities but also play a significant role in the natural pest control of their habitats.
A White Banded Crab Spider is primarily identified by the distinct white band located on its face, just below its eyes. Other key features include a wide, triangular abdomen and having its first two pairs of legs longer than its back two pairs, which aids in capturing prey.
Yes, female White Banded Crab Spiders are significantly larger than their male counterparts. A female’s body length is typically 5.0 to 11.3 mm, whereas a male’s is only 2.5 to 3.2 mm. This size difference, known as sexual dimorphism, is a common trait in this species.
Yes, the female White Banded Crab Spider can change its body color to match its surroundings, often appearing white, yellow, or light brown. This camouflage helps it ambush prey from within flowers. The male spider, however, does not possess this ability and retains its fixed coloration throughout its life.
No, White Banded Crab Spiders do not spin webs to capture their food. Instead, they are ambush predators that rely on camouflage. They hide inside flowers and wait for unsuspecting insects to come close, then use their powerful front legs to quickly grab their prey before it can escape.
A male White Banded Crab Spider typically has a shiny red, green, or yellow body with a golden-colored abdomen. Its front two pairs of legs are usually black or dark brown, which contrasts with its yellow or green hind legs. Unlike the female, the male’s coloration does not change.
No, White Banded Crab Spiders are not considered dangerous to humans. While they do possess venom to subdue insect prey, it is not medically significant to people. A defensive bite is rare and typically results in only a minor pinch with no lasting effects for most individuals.
The egg sac of a White Banded Crab Spider is a white, lens-shaped structure that measures between 10 and 14 mm in diameter. Each of these protective sacs contains approximately 80 to 180 tan-colored eggs. The female spider often guards the sac until the spiderlings hatch.
Dr Richard J. Pearce (PhD) on July 3, 2020.
Spider Team
