Fauna
Arachnid

Marloth's Crab Spider

Synema marlothi

Also known as Marloth's Synema Crab Spider

Marloth's crab spiders are striking ambush hunters that perch motionlessly on blossoms and low foliage throughout southern African grasslands and fynbos. Rather than spinning capture webs, they rely on raptorial front legs and rapid-acting venom to overpower flower-visiting insects several times their own mass. Females exhibit distinctive patterned abdomens and guard their flattened silk egg sacs carefully among tucked leaves until the spiderlings disperse.

Ambush HunterCamouflageEndemic
Marloth's Crab Spider reference1 / 6
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyHoverflies, Honeybees, Small butterflies
Predators
  • Spider wasps
  • Insectivorous birds
  • Praying mantises
ThreatsHabitat conversion, invasive alien plants, inappropriate fire regimes
HabitatsFynbos, temperate grasslands, montane shrublands
Life span1–2 years
Classification
  1. FamilyThomisidae
  2. SpeciesSynema marlothi
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Harmless to humans; bites are exceedingly rare and have no medical significance.
Responsible observation
  • Floral scanning: Check composite flowers and blooming shrubs where spiders sit motionless awaiting visiting insects.
  • Macro observation: Approach gradually without casting shadows to keep the spider from dropping on a silk safety line.
Related species
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