White-banded crab spider

September 17, 2021

The female White-banded crab spider has the ability to change color. She uses this super power of cryptic coloring as camouflage, changing between white and yellow depending on what color flowers are in her territory. She does this by secreting a liquid yellow pigment into the body’s outer cell layer which is normally white. This color change cannot take place immediately. In fact it takes days, sometimes weeks. 

White-banded crab spider  – Misumenoides formosipes

This white-phase female is hunting on Toyon blossoms.

White-banded crab spider  – Misumenoides formosipes

This yellow-phase female is imitating the shape of a flower pedal while hunting on bush sunflower.

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