Hi, Nice photograph ! Crab spiders belong to the family Thomisidae. They have broad flat bodies and sideways scuttling movements like crabs. As pointed out by Dr.Pankaj they are ambush predators. The 2 rear pairs of legs anchor the spider firmly to the flower while the 2 front pairs of legs armed with bristles are used for grabbing the prey. With regards, Neil Soares.
--- On Sun, 1/8/12, Smita Raskar <smita.ras...@gmail.com> wrote: From: Smita Raskar <smita.ras...@gmail.com> Subject: [efloraofindia:103285] Zeuxine longilabris with spider To: "indiantreepix" <indiantreepix@googlegroups.com> Date: Sunday, January 8, 2012, 8:46 PM Hello all sharing picture of Zeuxine longilabris ..every flower is having spider so i thought it must be pollinator here is our expert Dr Pankaj's answer... thanks to Pankaj...always prompt reply..learning lot from u These are crab spiders. They are ambush spiders who camouflage inside the flower and when a pollinator or other insect comes, these spider attack them. I am not sure they are pollinators unless someone gives me a proof. Beautiful pic.... thanks so much for sharing. You may share the same on eflora along with my reply. Regards Pankaj-- Smita raskar 308 Disha Residency, Salaiwada,Sawantwadi Mob.09422379568 / 09763989639
