Grass Spider

Tibellus oblongus

This is quite a striking crab spider, with the female having an elongated pale yellowish-straw coloured body with a central light brown stripe running its full length, and two rear dark spots. The male is similar, but the body is smaller and bluish in colour. Body length up to 10mm.

When at rest on vegetation it clings to a vertical stem facing head down and stretches out to blend in with its surroundings making it hard to see. It makes for a formidable hunter of insects and other invertebrates.

The adults maybe seen April to July. Found grasslands and shrubby places. A common and widespread species.

Photographs of Grass Spider (Tibellus oblongus), taken June 2006 , woodland path, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2006. Camera used Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W1.