Posts Tagged: gold coin flowers

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)

Posted on Friday, July 8, 2011 at 7:20 PM

Comments: 0

Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey

Tags: Asteriscus maritimus (1), crab spider (1), gold coin flowers (1)