Recognizing the Good Bugs in Cotton - Texas Is Cotton Country ...

Celer Crab
Spider
Misumenops celer
Characteristics: Crab spiders can be identified
by their front legs which are much longer
and more robust than the other legs, giving it
a crab-like appearance. Crab spiders also
move quickly backwards or sideways like a
crab, facing their antagonist or prey. The celer
crab spider is a common species in cotton
and in some cases is the most abundant spider
species present. The color of the female
ranges from dull to bright yellow to white.
There is an X-shaped mark on the back. The
male has red along the edges of its body. In
some individuals, two black or red bands are
present on the abdomen. Several other
species of crab spiders are found in cotton,
including M. formosipes, a large species
which changes color to match its surroundings.
Prey: Crab spiders feed on many cotton pests
and occasionally on beneficial insects. Crab
spiders do not build webs but wait to ambush
passing insects using their strong legs and
venom.
General Biology: Celer crab spiders are found
in other crops and uncultivated areas and are
carried into cotton fields on strands of silk by
breezes early in the season. There are 1 or 2
generations per year.
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