This type of crab spider loves hanging out around weeds. In general, this genus is brown, tan, and grey in color and they are sturdy in appearance. This male wasn’t pleased with the closeness of the camera and took this pose – probably a warning to me to back off. The little boxing gloves you see are palps, the male organ that transfers his sperm to the female. The are obvious only in the last couple instars, and all male spiders have them. Scientists can identify a species just from the palps; they are so detailed in structure that each species is unique, but it takes a microscope to see the details.

My ID is open to correction, as always. I’m not an expert.

This photograph was taken May 29, 2010 in Green Lane, Pa, on milkweed. There was a female nearby guarding her egg sack.