Thomisus spectabilis

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White crab spider (Thomisus spectabilis)

Thomisus spectabilis, known as the white crab spider or Australian crab spider, is a small spider found mainly in Eastern Australia in suburban gardens and on flowers such as daisies. Females are larger (up to about 10 mm body length) than males (about 6 mm), and with legs spread the whole spider can reach around 3 cm. It is usually white but can look yellow; its legs and head look almost translucent.

What it does
This spider does not make webs. It hunts by hiding on flowers and ambushing insects that come to visit them, especially bees and butterflies. It can wait for long periods, sometimes up to two hours, and may use silk to make a retreat, though it relies on stealth and quick strikes to catch prey.

Color and camouflage
Thomisus spectabilis can change color from yellow to white to blend with the flower it sits on. This color change helps it hide from predators and also helps it ambush pollinators.

Eggs and reproduction
The female builds egg sacs on curved leaves and guards the eggs, which are small and cream-colored. A single clutch can contain hundreds of eggs.

Venom
Like many spiders, it is venomous, but its bites are not known to be medically significant to humans. If bitten, people may feel mild symptoms that usually fade within a couple of hours.

Bees, flowers, and UV light
The spider uses color and scent cues from flowers to attract pollinators. When white, it can reflect UV light in a way that increases contrast with the flower, which can draw honeybees to land on the flower—and into the spider’s ambush. Native bees may learn to avoid flowers with hiding spiders, while honeybees can be more easily attracted. The spider can adjust its UV reflectance depending on the surroundings and predator presence.

Sexual dimorphism and role
Females are larger and do most of the hunting and egg care, while males are smaller and spend more time searching for mates.

Summary
The white crab spider is a small, flower-dwelling predator that uses color-changing camouflage, UV light tricks, and strategic positioning on flowers to ambush pollinators. It helps control garden insects and is a striking example of how some spiders live in harmony with blooming plants.