1Department of Entomology, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda, 210001, Uttar Pradesh, India
*Email: pandeyent@gmail.com (corresponding author): Orcid Id 0009-0004-5409-5516
Online published on 8 August, 2025.
The study delves into the predatory behaviour of the crab spider, Thomisus sp. (Araneae: Thomisidae) bringing out its remarkable ability to mimic the Cajanus cajan flower. This mimicry proves to be a strategic advantage in capturing larger prey, such as the honey bee (Apis dorsata and A. florea) and hover fly. By blending seamlessly with the yellow corolla of the flower, it achieves effective colour camouflage, positioning itself beneath the standard petal. This deceptive tactic allows the spider to conceal and ambush its unsuspecting prey, highlighting the intricate interplay between spider behaviour and plant style in the predation process.
Araneae, Thomisid spiders, Camouflage, Kleptoparasitism, Mimicry, Pollinators, Predatory tactics, Yellow, Corolla, Petal, Deception
