Crab spider

Flower crab spiders sit in wait on a flower to catch insects.


Here one of the two most conspicuous species, a Thomisus onustus on a Pyramidal orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis). When it has chosen its flower it can sit here for days, its large front paws opened to 'receive' its prey: every day a fresh one. Because it does not flee but sits motionless it is easy to photograph.

Yellow Iris

In shallow streams and ponds those long, swordlike leaves emerge from the water. When back-lit the conductive tissues are visible, the separations between the superposed long vascular cells show as darker spots.



They are the leaves of the Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus). The spider has put its long legs into a prolongation of its long body to make itself less conspicuous.

The flowers look very much like the irises found in gardens.