Misumena vatia? - Cyprus (1 Viewer)

[DoghouseRiley]

Hi All

A bit of a punt on this but the only yellow crab spider I can find in Cyprus is this one
Not sure about the oprunage spot though?

Could someone please ID?

Yours, Gareth

 

[aeshna5]

No. Wrong shape. It's a Thomisus sp; probably T. onustus.

 

[DoghouseRiley]

No. Wrong shape. It's a Thomisus sp; probably T. onustus.

As always Aeshna5, you come up with the goods. There are 3 Thomisus sp. found in Cypress. Each seems to settle into a flower and change colour to match. Then capture prey when it lands.

Thomisus zyuzini which is only 2.75mm. My spider was comfortably larger.

Thomisus citrinellus - 5-7.3mm. This is possible but appears to be located in other areas of Cyprus and is far less common.

Lastly. Thomisus onustus - 7-10mm. This is far more common and appears to have been collected and observed across many areas of the island including further up the coast from Paphos, which is where I saw it.

Thanks again Aeshna5, G