Spiders: Family Thomisidae
Common names: crab spiders, flower crab spiders, grass crab spiders, ground crab spiders etc. In Southern Africa they are represented by 39 genera and approx 140 species. Ground and plant dwellers, free-living, found mainly on foliage, only a few genera are terrestrial. Body colour varies from brightly coloured (pink, green, yellow) to dark brown or grey, abdomen often patterned. Body size: 3-23 mm. No webs, when inactive they hide beneath vegetation and ground debris. Sedentary, ambushing their prey. Commonly found on crops, playing an important role in the natural control of pests such as aphids, red spider mites and thrips. Easily distributed by wind. Harmless to humans. Abundance: common. (Marita Beneke)
Common names: crab spiders, flower crab spiders, grass crab spiders, ground crab spiders etc. In Southern Africa they are represented by 39 genera and approx 140 species. Ground and plant dwellers, free-living, found mainly on foliage, only a few genera are terrestrial. Body colour varies from brightly coloured (pink, green, yellow) to dark brown or grey, abdomen often patterned. Body size: 3-23 mm. No webs, when inactive they hide beneath vegetation and ground debris. Sedentary, ambushing their prey. Commonly found on crops, playing an important role in the natural control of pests such as aphids, red spider mites and thrips. Easily distributed by wind. Harmless to humans. Abundance: common. (Marita Beneke)
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