crab spider
noun
: any of a family (Thomisidae) of spiders that resemble crabs in shape and in being able to walk forward, backward, and sideways see also giant crab spider
Examples of crab spider in a Sentence
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With and without training, the mantises and crab spiders showed a significantly different response to the flies than to the wasps, and were much more cautious of lesser intermediate mimics than the birds had been.
—
Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 2 July 2025
Some types of crab spiders and the giant swallowtail caterpillar also sport white spots and are thought to be emulating the pasty-white urea component of bird excrement.
—Elizabeth Anne Brown, Scientific American, 13 Dec. 2023
Certain spider species called crab spiders perch on flowers to catch pollinating insects, including bees.
—Lars Chittka, Scientific American, 14 June 2023
Due to its flattened stance, it is also sometimes known as the six-eyed crab spider.
—Tim MacWelch, Outdoor Life, 3 May 2023
Surprisingly a flower with a crab spider is more attractive than one without: the crab spider mimics UV-reflective floral patterns that guide insects to nectar.
—James Gilbert, Discover Magazine, 27 Jan. 2015
To learn about how bumblebees handle this threat, the scientists used an artificial crab spider—that is, a pinching device made of foam.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 9 May 2014
The goldenrod crab spider of Canada uses its silk-spinning abilities not to spin a web but to restrain the female during mating.
—Discover Magazine, 29 June 2010
On the other hand, encounters with a predator like a mantis or a crab spider are far graver perils.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 11 Feb. 2010
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Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 2 July 2025
Some types of crab spiders and the giant swallowtail caterpillar also sport white spots and are thought to be emulating the pasty-white urea component of bird excrement.
—Elizabeth Anne Brown, Scientific American, 13 Dec. 2023
Certain spider species called crab spiders perch on flowers to catch pollinating insects, including bees.
—Lars Chittka, Scientific American, 14 June 2023
Due to its flattened stance, it is also sometimes known as the six-eyed crab spider.
—Tim MacWelch, Outdoor Life, 3 May 2023
Surprisingly a flower with a crab spider is more attractive than one without: the crab spider mimics UV-reflective floral patterns that guide insects to nectar.
—James Gilbert, Discover Magazine, 27 Jan. 2015
To learn about how bumblebees handle this threat, the scientists used an artificial crab spider—that is, a pinching device made of foam.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 9 May 2014
The goldenrod crab spider of Canada uses its silk-spinning abilities not to spin a web but to restrain the female during mating.
—Discover Magazine, 29 June 2010
On the other hand, encounters with a predator like a mantis or a crab spider are far graver perils.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 11 Feb. 2010
Cite this Entry
“Crab spider.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crab%20spider. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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