Webmaster in a Nutshell, Second Edition

Colophon

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A crab spider is featured on the cover of Webmaster in a Nutshell. Like the crustaceans after which they are named, crab spiders walk sideways or backwards. They feed on bees and other pollenizing insects, often laying in wait for them by hiding on flowers. Some species of crab spider can, over a period of several days, change color from white to yellow and back again to blend into the flower on which they are sitting. The spider can grab its prey quickly with its forward facing legs. It then injects its victims with a fast-acting, highly-poisonous venom, in this way protecting itself from the bee’s sting.

Spiders are similar to, but not the same as, insects. They belong to the class Arachnida, named after Arachne, a maiden in Greek mythology. She defeated the goddess Athena in a weaving contest. In a fury of anger, Athena destroyed Arachne’s weaving and beat her about the head. In utter disgrace, Arachne hanged herself. A regretful Athena changed Arachne into a spider so she could weave forever.

While they are certainly not going to win any popularity contests, spiders’ insect-eating habits are extremely helpful to humans. Every year, billions of spiders do away with large numbers of disease-carrying and crop-destroying insects. ...