Thomisidae - Is this Misumenops vatia?

[Jacqueline Burrell]

The image was taken last weekend on the Gulf of Suez. I was actually photographing the flies which I think are Anthomyia pluvialis and only noticed they were in the clutches of a spider later on computer. So unfortunately its a lousy image.

Jacqueline

[Venger]

Certainly a Thomisidae (a crab spider), not specifically a M.vatia but certainly a Misumena spp or maybe even a Thomisus spp - though I'd need to see the full spider.

[Jacqueline Burrell]

Thanks Venger. I was being overly optimistic to think that anyone could identify it from one bad image.

[Suzanne B]

Heck, that was a well camouflaged spider, I could only see it when I spotted the hairs on it's legs!
They really are quite a formidable preditor aren't they, do they usually take two flies at once?
It's a really interesting photo and amazing what else we can find once the image is enlarged too.
Suzanne

[Jacqueline Burrell]

Originally Posted by Suzanne B

Heck, that was a well camouflaged spider, I could only see it when I spotted the hairs on it's legs!
They really are quite a formidable preditor aren't they, do they usually take two flies at once?
It's a really interesting photo and amazing what else we can find once the image is enlarged too.
Suzanne

These spiders can change colour which explains how well they are camouflaged. They do not spin webs, and only use their silk to protect their eggs.

It hides on a flower or on the ground and waits for its prey and uses its front legs to grasp it. It has small fangs to inject its prey with venom, which immobilises it so the spider can suck out the body fluids.

I think this guy just got lucky when it ambushed two flies.

Jacqueline

[Jason Green]

Originally Posted by Jacqueline Burrell

Thanks Venger. I was being overly optimistic to think that anyone could identify it from one bad image.

I don't think it's bad - I suspect he just means it needs angles not given such as the facial parts (pedis?) or perhaps it's a 'genital job'...