Observations on the predation by the crab spider Thomisus onustus

Crab spider of the genus Thomisus Walckenaer (Araneae: Thomisidae), the T. onustus is a potent predator able to hunt prey larger than its own size. This study reports on a predatory event involving this spider, mimicking the Cajanus cajan flower for effective predation of pollinator bee Apis dorsata. The study focuses on the predation mechanism utilized by the spider making use of the plant architecture. The observations reveal that in a papilionaceous yellow coloured corolla of C. cajan, the same-coloured T. onustus is able to colour camouflage and can accommodate itself in a concealed position beneath the standard petal thus predating the prey by deceiving.