Crab Spider
Misumenops deserti
This photo was taken in April 2008 near Robbins Butte. The prey item in its fangs happens to be another spider - a jumping spider (Salticidae).
Thomisidae -- Crab Spider Family
Misumenops crab spiders are sit and wait predators, i.e. they do not spin webs for capturing prey. Instead they wait on foliage, or better yet, a flower, and take insects, especially pollinators. The specimen at left was found on Allscale (Atriplex polycarpa) which lacks showy flowers. In this case the spider waits on new, fresh foliage where prey are likely to be encountered.
Crab spiders do spin silk when constructing their egg sac and also for use in transportation. By emmitting silk into the breeze the spider can climb along the strand once it entangles on a nearby plant. If the spider is small and the breeeze stiff it can hang on to its silken kite and become airborne. This activity is called 'ballooning' and can disperse spiderlings over hundreds of miles.
Crab spiders can be distinguished by their eye pattern: eight small eyes in two rows of four each. The first and second pair of legs are rotated forward for capturing and holding prey. In crab-like fashion they often crawl sideways.