Country intro
Green crab spider (Diaea dorsata)
West of Brixen in South Tyrol, we followed a little stream up into a very “romantic" valley (dense, moist forest, interspersed with sunlit, open meadows). This rather common crab spider fascinated me because its legs were so perfectly matched to the flower umbel it was lurking in.
"Diaea dorsata" is one of the smaller crab spiders, with a palearctic distribution. Females can grow up to 6 mm, males up to 4 mm. Prosoma and legs are green, the opisthosoma is yellowish with a brown mark.
"Diaea dorsata" prefers forest edges. It can be found on oak leaves. The subadults overwinter under the bark of dead trees. Adults appear in May. The males have an extended non-damaging combat ritual: They stand opposed, stretch their front legs and dance around each other. This.. more
