Goldenrod Crab spider

[jward]

Does anyone know the best time of year to find crab spiders? And the best type of plants?
Are they common across Britain?

[Dogghound]

Misumena vatia can be found from April to October depending where you are in the country, probrably at its peak towards late summer around August. They are often found on daisies and flowers with similar open faces. Although im not sure if there is any truth in the statement they like yellow and white flowers more.

[Geoff F]

They certainly seem to try and choose a background with a similar colour to themselves; which obviously improves their hunting success. And to some extent they can vary their own colouration to suit the background.

While females usually appear chiefly in variations of white or yellow the males are more brownish which can make them hard to find.

I find plenty of M. vatia in my garden (either they are increasing in numbers or I am getting better at spotting them) and often find one by accident when trying to photograph a hoverfly or bee.

There are quite a few species that come under the general title of Crab Spiders and the more time you spend peering into flowers and leaves the more you will find. Quite often they lurk underneath leaves where they get overlooked. The Xysticus species, in multiple shades of brown, can sometimes be found at ground level but they are difficult to spot until they move.

But I will assure you that the more you look the more you will find; and being common in gardens, you don't even have to travel very far.

[No.9 Spider]

Misumena vatia distribution.


The Updated Distribution Maps - British Arachnological Society


No.9 Spider

[Moonmoth]

Originally Posted by jward

Does anyone know the best time of year to find crab spiders? And the best type of plants?
Are they common across Britain?

Hiya, I Have lots of White crab spiders in my little garden every year and I adore them ! They start off on the Hawthorn and my white rose then graduate to St johns wort where they go bright yellow! then next on to my large patch of Scabious then as these are running out jump onto Knapweed and Buddleia and finally make a last stand on the GoldenRod and turn yellow again .How much fun is that ! Yes and I admit to having lots of photos of them sucking the life out of lovely Bees ! I dont know how common they are but reckon if you plant the right things they will parachute in by themselves provided they are in your area .