News Animals

Textbook case of color-changing spider reopened

Supposed queen of camouflage may not be hidden in flowers

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

Crab spiders can scuttle, but apparently they can’t hide.

MISMATCH A Misumena vatia spider doesn’t at all match her flower but even this fashion disaster doesn’t keep her from catching as much prey as color-coordinated females. Here she has ambushed a syrphid fly. Rolf Brechbühl

Long touted as an example of cryptic coloring, the female Misumena vatiaspider switches her body color over the course of days depending on the flower where she lurks.