"Misumena vatia" is a species of crab spider with holarctic distribution. In North America, where it is the largest and best-known flower spider, it is called the goldenrod crab spider or flower spider, because it is commonly found hunting in goldenrod sprays in the autumn.
Similar species: Spiders
By Jivko Nakev
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Uploaded Apr 22, 2014. Captured Apr 21, 2014 10:53 in ulitsa "Stefan Stambolov" 192, 1444 Bistritsa, Bulgaria.
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Here is my addition to this beautiful specie - Goldenrod Crab Spider - captured in Bulgaria, in Vitosha mountain.
These spiders may be yellow or white, depending on the flower in which they are hunting. Especially younger females, which may hunt on a variety of flowers such as daisies and sunflowers, may change color "at will".
They change color by secreting a liquid yellow pigment into the outer cell layer of the body. On a white base, this pigment is transported into lower layers, so that inner glands, filled with white guanine, become visible. If the spider dwells longer on a white plant, the yellow pigment is often excreted. It will then take the spider much longer to change to yellow, because it will have to produce the yellow pigment first. The color change is induced by visual feedback; spiders with painted eyes were found to have lost this ability. (from Wiki)
Ferdy, you should add it to the list "Masters of camouflage". Posted 11 years ago, modified 11 years ago
...and to the homepage as well :) Posted 11 years ago
and check out the other photos from Santorini, all but the last one are mine
41Santorini
I have some photos from the volcano and the famous sunsets, I'll post a few more some day. Posted 11 years ago