Best time to see: Apr to end Sep

Key facts

Crab spiders have rounded bodies and long curving front legs, hence their name

Do not spin webs but sit on flower heads, waiting for prey to land looking for nectar

Common in southern England

Recognition

This species is white all over with red markings

Usually found on yellow or white flowers, changing their colour to match the background

As is usual in spiders, the male is smaller than the female: the female 9-11mm long and the male 3-4mm

Lifecycle

Mating begins with a courtship dance in which the pair touch legs, and when they feel safe they mate

The female then waits with the egg sac until she dies