Crab Spider
The Stealthy Hunter of Ontario’s Gardens: The Crab Spider
If you’ve ever wandered through a garden in Ontario, chances are you’ve walked right past a crab spider without even noticing. These tiny ambush predators blend seamlessly into their surroundings, waiting patiently on flowers for the perfect moment to strike. Unlike many other spiders, crab spiders don’t bother weaving elaborate webs to catch their prey. Instead, they rely on stealth, camouflage, and lightning-fast reflexes to grab unsuspecting insects as they land.
One of the most remarkable traits of certain species, like the goldenrod crab spider, is their ability to change colour to match the flower they’re perched on. While they don’t shift colours instantly like a chameleon, they gradually transform over several days, switching between yellow and white depending on their environment. This incredible adaptation makes them nearly invisible to pollinators like bees and butterflies - until it’s too late!
Their name isn’t just about their sneaky nature, it also describes how they move. Crab spiders hold their legs in a crab-like fashion and can scuttle sideways, backward, and forward with ease. Their mobility allows them to strike quickly and even reposition themselves when necessary. Despite their small size, these spiders pack a powerful punch, delivering venom to immobilize their prey before enjoying their meal.
Picture: Goldenrod Crab Spider (Misumena vatia)
Another interesting feature of crab spiders is the striking difference in size between males and females. In many species, the females are significantly larger, sometimes many times bigger than their male counterparts. This difference is common in spider species, where females often need more energy for laying eggs and protecting their offspring.
Garden lovers might be surprised to learn that crab spiders are not just silent predators, they play an important ecological role. Their presence helps regulate insect populations by feeding on pests that could otherwise damage plants. In fact, some plants have even evolved to attract crab spiders as a form of defence. Certain species release chemicals when attacked by harmful insects, essentially sending out a call for crab spiders to come and help eliminate the intruders.
Even when food is scarce, these resourceful arachnids find ways to survive. During bad weather or times when insects are hard to come by, crab spiders have been observed eating pollen and nectar to avoid starvation. This behaviour makes them more adaptable than many other predatory spiders.
So, the next time you stop to admire a blooming flower in an Ontario garden, take a closer look, you might just spot a crab spider patiently waiting for its next meal. With their ambush tactics, colour-changing abilities, and ecological benefits, these small but mighty spiders prove that sometimes, the best hunters don’t need webs at all.
Female Crab Spider Protecting Her Offspring