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Bomis larvata L. Koch, 1874 Miniature Crab Spider

This tiny Thomisid with a folded expandable abdomen like a bellows is recorded for coastal Queensland and NSW. Being small and hard to see, it is probably much more widesspread, at least on Australia's east coast, having escaped noticed. It appears in at least two forms, a dark or melanic form and a lighter one with browns, pinks and oranges. Some have green cephalothoraxes and legs. Juveniles appear to have lighter coloured, sometimes translucent legs. The legs are slender compared to the stout legs of Cymbacha spp. These spiders make a retreat in a folded leaf edge, often the tip. The egg sac is round, of fine white silk with about 6 eggs each around .5mm in diameter. The species name may mean comparatively small, as in larval, compared with adults of other species. ♀ 2.5mm  ♂ 1.5mm

Dark form from above

Cymbacha
Photo: Robert Whyte

Light form


Cymbacha
Photo: Robert Whyte

Showing folds on rear of abdomen


The rear of the spider shows the many spectacular folds in the abdomen. which may be an advantage allowing it to expand like a bellows when full of eggs.

Bomis / Cymbacha
Photo: Robert Whyte

Oblique view, greenish legs


Bomis / Cymbacha
Photo: Robert Whyte

Facing, on leaf


Bomis / Cymbacha
Photo: Robert Whyte

From above, dark form


Bomis / Cymbacha
Photo: Robert Whyte

Green cephalothorax and legs


Bomis larvata
Photo: Dr Greg Anderson

Brown cephalothorax, two tone abdomen


Bomis larvata
Photo: Dr Greg Anderson

 
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