It’s peak season for summer tourists in the garden. Though the regulars are back, what’s lurking between the leaves and petals may surprise you. The ghost crab spider found on this fading peony is a splendidly camouflaged ambush hunter. Visual feedback from its many eyes cause its color to change according to its surroundings.
Meanwhile, back on the hosta plant, this fly doesn’t seem to be buying the spider’s line… at least not this time. Perhaps it’s already had its fill of summer romance.
“Come into my parlor” said the spider to the fly.
A hoverfly is more forward in its approach to the last of the purple spiderworts to bloom. Although this adult hoverfly is looking for a taste of nectar, in its larval stage it likely ate its share of aphids.
Fresh hydrangea blooms look inviting to a fruit fly in search of sustenance.
Or could this visitor just be looking for a nice quiet place to rest its wings for a moment?
This fly is focused on the nectar of a yellow St John’s wort.
A recently opened lily already has a visitor walking along a petal towards its inner sanctum.
Surely flowers must find the never ending flow of visitors tiring. But even though they might be tempted to utter ‘Come again when you can’t stay quite so long,’ flowers benefit from insect activity for much of their pollination. And that’s reason enough to tolerate visitors, even those who prey on other guests.
Ghost crab spider waving goodbye
For more on the crab spider in Canada, see The Nature of the Hill’s Goldenrod Crab Spider post. Cindy in the Swan Hills of Alberta has also included a cool video from Green Nature.
Text and photographs copyright Amy-Lynn Bell 2013
Superb photography and sweet notations. Awe-inspiring and delightful as ever. I’m going to be looking more closely at the goings-on in my garden. Just returned to NS after five days in Oakville, ON. Now I can breathe deeply again and see for miles. Thanks for your wonderful blogs.
Margaret, thanks for letting me know you enjoyed the blog post :)
Years ago I lived on Lake Ontario in Burlington close to Oakville. It’s certainly a different world here.
Now that you know about the crab spider you might just find one in your garden too. Look for them also in the golden rod flowers later this summer.
These close-up views into the world of insects are wonderful. They feed into some of the things I’ve been thinking about (without my camera) this morning, too.
Pamela, thanks to you I was able to identify the purple spiderwort flowers. Good to know I’m not the only one with bugs on the brain ;)
I identified spiderworts, but you are the one who got the lovely extreme close-up. It’s gorgeous!
lovely, as always.
Thanks Faith.
Love that shot of the Spiderwort. Such a feathery, pretty centre. I never noticed that before.
That is fascinating about the Ghost Crab Spider being able to change colour …
Sybil, I never noticed how pretty it was either. The blooms lasted such a long time but this was the last of them. Thanks again to you and Lynne for planting them last fall.
It was actually my son who suggested that the crab spider might be able to change its color when we discussed how perfectly camouflaged it was in that faded bloom. Then when I looked it up, sure enough it was.
Awesome shots of some tiny insects. I know from experience how small the hoverflies are and how difficult to capture. I love the amazing detail that you captured of the spiderwort. I wonder if all spiderworts look like that–I’ll have to check and see if there are the feather-like growths in the center the next time I go to photograph one.
Thanks for sharing shots of the tourists in your area. Some of them might appear scary, but you know, they’re probably cool when you get to know them. :)
These photos are exquisite, Amy-Lynn! What an amazing little world you have revealed, and the narrative is so informative as well as playful. Lovely post!
Must be my day to find spiders on blog posts. :) The ghost crab spider is a crafty predator and very well adapted for his survival.
Wonderful observation of your microcosm and great pictures. Patience and talent to capture – in photographs only ! – these floral visitors. Thanks Amy-Lynn.
Such exquisite macro images, Amy-Lynn. Love your eye for detail.
Where have you ‘gone’?
Please share again in blogland.
Hi Eva. Still here, but working longer hours and now taking work-related classes too. It’s been so long since I’ve traveled to blogland but will try to change that soon.
I hope everything is well with you, Amy-Lynn. I wish you and yours a Very Happy New Year and look forward to reading more of your posts when your time permits it. Take good care of you.
Isabelle
All is well Isa, just very very busy with work and other projects. I know you’ll understand the ones involving quilting :) Happy 2014 to you too.
So lovely to read you ! Just went to your blog a few minutes ago and here you were, waiting for me to say hello and thank you for your visit. Quilting ? Will you share some with us ? I have not done much over the past year but I am in the mood again :) Scrappy mood.
Isabelle, baby quilts are all I’ve made lately. I think I spend more time thinking and re-thinking the color scheme than I do sewing ;) Will email you some photos.
Warm greetings from the Great Refrigerator. It’s nice to read this post and find myself back in July with the ghost crab spider. Who knew how clever he could be? Heck, who knew he was there? Well, you did of course. Wishing you a good new year.
Thanks Gerry. Happy New Year to you too :) It’s pretty cold here too with more snow than we’ve seen in years.