Female crab spider on Helianthus annuus

A female flower crab spider, Misumena vatia, on a ray floret of a sunflower, Helianthus annuus. The picture shows the spider, stationary, awaiting the arrival of a possible prey item, commonly species of hoverfly visiting flowers for pollen or nectar.Six of its eight eyes are visible, picture centre (black dots). Crab spiders do not spin a web, but they do use silk as an anchor and for climbing. Their hunting technique is to remain motionless on a flower until a prey insect approaches. They then become alert and turn to face the prey with their front legs raised. If the prey moves within range, it is grabbed and injected with a potent poison. Large insects may be taken, including bumblebees. M. vatia has a limited ability to camouflage itself by colour change. In this picture its yellow hue is a good match to the background on which it waits.