www.small-beings.org
www.small-beings.org
Die Veränderliche Krabbenspinne (Misumena vatia) ist eine Spinnenart aus der Familie der Krabbenspinnen (Thomisidae). Die Art ist in Mitteleuropa weit verbreitet. Die Veränderliche Krabbenspinne wurde zur Spinne des Jahres 2006 gewählt.
Die Veränderliche Krabbenspinne (Misumena vatia) ist eine Art mit starkem Geschlechtsdimorphismus. Männchen sind kleiner als Weibchen und haben einen schwärzlichen Vorderkörper sowie weiß bis gelblich gefärbten Hinterkörper. Weibchen können ihre Körperfarbe aktiv wechseln und variieren zwischen gelb, gelbgrün und weiß. Die Art kommt in Europa, Amerika und den arktischen bis subtropischen Zonen der Holarktis vor. Sie bewohnt blütenreiche Lebensräume und ernährt sich von verschiedenen blütenbesuchenden Insekten. Die Art ist nicht gefährdet.
Misumena vatia is a species of crab spider with a holarctic distribution. In North America, it is called the goldenrod crab spider or flower (crab) spider, as it is commonly found hunting in goldenrod sprays and milkweed plants. They are called crab spiders because of their unique ability to walk sideways as well as forwards and backwards. Both males and females of this species progress through several molts before reaching their adult sizes, though females must molt more to reach their larger size. Females can grow up to 10 mm (0.39 in) while males are quite small, reaching 5 mm (0.20 in) at most. Misumena vatia are usually yellow or white or a pattern of these two colors. They may also present with pale green or pink instead of yellow, again, in a pattern with white. They have the ability to change between these colors based on their surroundings through the molting process. They have a complex visual system, with eight eyes, that they rely on for prey capture and for their color-changing abilities. Sometimes, if Misumena vatia consumes colored prey, the spider itself will take on that color. Misumena vatia feed on common insects, often consuming prey much larger than themselves. They use venom to immobilize their prey, though they are harmless to humans. They face threats due to parasites and larger insects. For Misumena vatia, survival depends on the choice of hunting site. The spiders closely monitor multiple sites to see if others nearby are frequented by greater numbers of potential prey. The primary sex ratio is biased toward females. Females are stationary and choose a flower to settle on, while males cover great distances searching for mates. Females do not emit pheromones, rather, they leave “draglines” of silk behind them as they move, which males follow. Females live longer than males, on average. After mating, females guard their nests until the young have hatched, after which they die.
The species Misumena vatia belongs to the family Thomisidae, or crab spiders, and its genus Misumena includes many other species found worldwide. Misumena vatia has a wide, flat body and is harmless to humans. It is found in North America and Europe, preferring a temperate climate and inhabiting forest biomes. Males face danger and have a lower sex ratio compared to females. They require a two-day interval between matings, and females can produce another brood if induced.