Crab Spiders - Xysticus sp.

    Family - Thomisidae
    Genus - Xysticus
    Seventeen European species.
    These Spiders do not spin webs but sit in wait for prey.
    They look very crab-like and can move sideways.
    When mating, the Females become submissive - drawing her legs in.
    Males then spin silk over her carapace and legs before he lifts her abdomen
    to apply his Palps to her Epigyne.

    Female
    Extra Mural Cemetery, Brighton
    10.03.12

    Female, waiting for prey
    Extra Mural Cemetery, Brighton
    21.05.12

    Waiting on a Reed in my Pond, for Damselfly Nymphs to climb out
    of the Water.

    Brighton
    24.05.12

    Xysticus sp.
    Female guarding her Egg Sac.
    Meadow at the top of Stanmer Park
    Brighton
    14.07.2011

    The next generation.
    A young Xysticus. In the same meadow as above.
    The majority of the meadow had been ploughed but the
    young had already hatched and moved on it seems.
    Stanmer Park, East Sussex
    25.07.2011

    Xysticus cristatus (Female)

    Brighton
    06.07.2011

    Xysticus cristatus with her Steatoda nobilis breakfast!
    Brighton
    07.07.2011

    Xysticus cristatus (Male)
    Back Garden, Brighton
    23.05.2011

    Xysticus cristatus (?)
    Hunting on my back Garden wall
    06.05.2011

    Back Garden, Brighton
    01.05.2011

    Xysticus cristatus
    'Central triangle on the carapace ends in a well-
    defined dark point' (Collins Field Guide)
    Kingley Vale Nature Reserve, West Sussex
    06.04.2011

    Xysticus
    Lullington Heath, Jevington, East Sussex
    25.03.2011

    Female after giving birth, hence the saggy looking abdomen (thanks Gary!)
    My back garden in Brighton, East Sussex
    14/06/2010

    As I walked past, she reared up which caught my attention.

    Back garden, Brighton, East Sussex
    03/09/2010

    Xysticus
    Woodvale Crematorium/ Brighton Extra Mural Cemetery
    28/09/2010

    Xysticus
    Back garden, Brighton
    06/10/2010