Camouflaged crab spider waits for prey on a gold coin. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad
Article

All That Glitters Is Not Gold

All that glitters is not gold.

The gold coin flowers (Asteriscus maritimus) planted in our yard attract a goodly number of leafcutter bees and hover flies (aka flower flies and syrphid flies).

But if you look closely, gold coins attract something else--arachnids.

This little crab spider (below) blends in so well that at first glance, it's not easy to spot.

And that's the key. Perfectly camouflaged, it awaits prey.

A golden opportunity...

Camouflaged crab spider waits for prey on a gold coin. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Camouflaged crab spider waits for prey on a gold coin. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Close-up of crab spider camouflaged on gold coin. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Close-up of crab spider camouflaged on gold coin. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)