Spiders generally are very useful in reducing pests in sorghum fields. Occasionally, spiders capture other predators such as lady beetles. Several different families of spiders may be found in sorghum fields during the grain production season. Crab spiders (Misumenops spp.) are most common. They have a flattened look and hold their legs out to their sides, usually with the longer front two pairs pro-jecting forward. Crab spiders can walk sideways, which gives them their common name.

Prey: Crab spiders sit and wait for their prey to come along. Then they grab the prey, overpower it, and inject venom to immobilize it. Crab spiders often capture prey larger than they are.