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

Recent Examples on the Web

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

The spider is a goldenrod crab spider (Misumena vatia). —oregonlive, 3 July 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for crab spider

• collider
• confider
• divider
• insider
• outsider
• provider
• cider
• cyder
• eider
• glider
• hider
• rider