Crab-spiders
Guides
Philodromus
Running Crab Spiders
Philodromus is a large genus of running crab spiders in the family Philodromidae, comprising over 200 described species worldwide. Members are characterized by a distinctly flattened body and laterigrade legs—oriented horizontally rather than vertically—that enable sideways movement. Unlike typical crab spiders (Thomisinae), Philodromus species lack heavy bodies and prominent eye tubercles, instead possessing lithe, smooth bodies with slender, nearly equal-length legs. They are active predators of woody plants and are frequently encountered on vertical surfaces including building walls.
Xysticus
ground crab spiders
Xysticus is a genus of ground-dwelling crab spiders (family Thomisidae) known for ambush hunting on the ground rather than in flowers. These spiders possess elongated first and second pairs of legs with spines that help secure prey. They are among the most frequently observed ballooning spiders, using silk threads to disperse via wind currents. The genus is also a documented prey source for spider wasps in the genus Dipogon.