116 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST 

 k 



asperata), he further states, has red markings, and sometimes 

 resembles exactly the sorrel {Rumex acetosella). 



Misumena does not spin a web, but conceals itself among the 

 flowers and pounces upon its unsuspecting prey while it is collecting 

 pollen or nectar. On the 16th of July I had the opportunity to 

 observe the' capture of a bumblebee gathering pollen on a wild rose 

 {Rosa hicida). My attention was a moment diverted, but was 

 again recalled by the loud buzzing of the bee. The spider had 

 leaped upon its back and grasped it with its mandibles just behind 

 the head. At first the bumblebee struggled violently, but so 

 virulent was the poison that its movements speedily ceased en- 

 tirely. The spider then dragged it over the edge of the flower to 

 the leaves beneath, where it dined at leisure. 



The temerity and success with which the Thomisida? attack 

 large butterflies or dragonflies, or stinging insects, as wasps, bumble- 

 bees and honey-bees, is astonishing. Honey-bees are often cap- 

 tured, and large flies belonging to the genera Archytas and Therio- 

 plectes and rarely the wasp Vespa germanica. In one case I observed 

 that a small butterfly {Melitaa tharos) had been taken. From 

 Framingham, Mass., I have received from Mr. C. A. Frost a 

 number of very interesting specimens together in each instance 

 with the spider by which it was killed. The dragonfly Celithemis 

 eponina, the large butterfly Papilio asterias and the smaller species 

 Colias philodice were captured by Misumena vatia (PI. II) ; and the 

 I y Desmometopa latipes, the wasp Vespa germanica and the copper 

 butterfly Chrysophanus americanus by M. aletaria. -It is diflicult 

 to understand why the spiders were not carried away by such 

 strong-winged insects as the dragonfly and the large butterfly 

 Papilio asterias. which so greatly surpass them in size and strength. 



The habit of resorting to flowers to capture anthophilous 

 insects and the protective resemblance of coloration must ha^•e 

 been acquired by the Thomisida? in comparatively recent times — 

 that is, since the evolution of flowers and the development of 

 anthophily among insects. The new habit would seem to be the 

 result of observation and experience. 



For the determination of the species of Misumena I am in- 

 debted to Mr. J. H. Emerton. 



