Crab spider proves to be ferocious bee hunter

A LOT can happen in a week. Just ask – if you dare – the ghoulish crab spider which has, up until recently, been using our Cosmos flowers as a hunting ground.

Since last Thursday, when I first wrote in this slot about the latest garden arrival, this eight-legged offwhite oddity has proved somewhat of a talking point amongst the household. In fact, I genuinely don’t think I have ever been as interested in a spider in my entire life!

In the past couple of days, he (or she) has vanished from sight - probably something to do with the fact that its favourite ambush spot has dropped all of its petals. Or, it may be because our savage arachnid is full to bursting with successfully captured prey.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this spider, only a matter of millimetres in size, menacingly holding a poor baby bumblebee in its fanglike jaws. Talk about picking on someone your own size!

Come the next morning, there was no sign of the previous day’s catch. After such a meal, you would think the pollinator population would be safe.

Therefore, you can imagine my utter disbelief when, later that afternoon, I caught the ‘Cosmos killer’ with yet another unsuspecting victim, a sizeable honey bee this time. As my picture on the left shows, this crab spider is nothing but ambitious when on the hunt for its next meal.

I’m reassured by my colleague, Charlie Elder, that they are an outdoor spider. Thank goodness for that! Or we’d all be options on the menu!