FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

Either one you choose. Spidey gotta eat too!

Spidies are your friends! Honestly, I would let them be. For those that are homing themselves in the mouth of your Sarrs, keep in mind that any bugs they catch, afterwards they drop the bodies directly into the pitcher and also when the spider defecates it defecating directly into the pitcher so you’re still getting some nutrients from it. Also, depending on the insect and the type of spider in question, if it’s one of the ambush predators like a crab spider then there’s a possibility that something insects that wind up in the pitcher — once the spiders done with them — are ones the pitcher never would’ve succeeded in getting anyhow. I have seen on any number of occasions, insects moving about the lip and peristome of a Sarr that then simply moved on and never got caught. But the ambush predators tend to grab some of those same insects and feed on them. So, in that respect, they might actually be helping. Also, I would keep in mind the reality that if you’re growing boggy type plants, you’re probably gonna have mosquitoes all around. Spiders particularly the orb weavers can be extremely beneficial because they will pick those suckers off.

There is at least one species of crab spider that is known to have the ability to change coloration. This would be the golden rod, Kratt spider and they can change from white to yellow and back again. A number of the other crab spider species simply produce offspring in a variety of colors, and those that find a location that matches their coloration are more likely to survive and do better than those that themselves in the wrong type of flower or plant. I don’t know if any research has been done on whether the crabs spiders of different colors know what color they are and are able to pick a location/plant/flower that matches the coloration or if it’s just happenstance.