Spiders and other Arachnids

Crab spider - Thomisidae: Tmarus angulatus (Iowa, USA). Crab spiders are distinguished in part from other spider families by their exceptionally long and powerful first two pairs of legs, which they use to seize prey that can exceed their own size.

Running crab spider (Philodromidae: genus Philodromus), found inside my screen door (Iowa, USA). The name of this spider family comes from the Greek "philodromos," meaning "lover of the race," and they earn it - these spiders are built for speed!

Crab spider in my backyard, Tmarus angulatus (Iowa, USA).

Bark crab spider, genus Bassaniana, at my porch light (Iowa, USA).

A young wolf spider, family Lycosidae, stalks the forest floor at night. (Iowa, USA)

Bark crab spider, genus Bassaniana, up close (Iowa, USA).

A crab spider (Thomisidae: genus Mecaphesa) from Iowa.

Unidentified spiderling from Iowa, USA.

Trashline Orbweaver, Cyclosa turbinata (Iowa, USA). These clever spiders get their name from their habit of adorning their webs with bits of unfinished prey items and other debris.These web decorations (known as stabilimenta) provide very effective camouflage, and may even lure additional victims to the web.

Spotted Orb Weaver, Neoscona crucifera (Iowa, USA).

A crab spider (Thomisidae: genus Mecaphesa), subdues a much larger cluster fly (Calliphoridae: genus Pollenia) on Queen Anne's Lace, Daucus carota, in Iowa.

Young crab spider (Thomisidae) from Wisconsin, USA.

A young crab spider seeks refuge under a thistle's spines in Wisconsin.

A running crab spider (Philodromidae: Thanatus formicinus) dashes across the ground in search of prey on the banks of Little Bass Lake in Wisconsin. Unlike most spiders, which rely on webs to capture prey, running crab spiders are active hunters - and very fast ones at that.

Freshly-hatched spiderlings, possibly Dolomedes, by the shoreline of Little Bass Lake in Wisconsin.

Fishing Spider, genus Dolomedes. As their name implies, these large spiders inhabit mainly aquatic habitats and feed on other water-dwelling insects. They have even been witnessed eating small fish! This specimen, D. scriptus, was found around the perimeter of Little Bass Lake in northern Wisconsin.

Jumping spider (Salticidae: Tutelina elegans) from Iowa.

Mesh Web Weaver - family Dictynidae, probably genus Dictyna) from Iowa.

Freshly-hatched spiderlings from Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Golden Orb-weaver, genus Nephila, from Chiang Mai, Thailand.

A mature male tarantula stalks the jungle floor at night in Belize.

Jumping spider, genus Lyssomanes, from Belize.

Nursery web weaver, Pisauridae, from Belize.

Jumping spider, genus Lyssomanes, from Belize.

Belizean Cinnamon Tarantula, Crassicrus lamanai (Belize).

Ant-mimicking jumping spider, family Salticidae, from Belize.

A nursery web spider, family Pisauridae, guards her egg sac under a protective sheet of silk in Belize.

Pinktoe tarantula, Avicularia avicularia.