Running-crab-spider
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Apollophanes margareta
Apollophanes margareta is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, first described by Lowrie and Gertsch in 1955. The species occurs in North America, with documented records from the United States and Canada including the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. As a member of Philodromidae, it belongs to a family of spiders known for their laterigrade leg orientation that permits sideways movement and their active hunting behavior without web construction.
Apollophanes texanus
Apollophanes texanus is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae. The species was described by Nathan Banks in 1904. It occurs in the southern United States and Mexico. Like other philodromids, it is an active hunter that does not construct webs to capture prey.
Ebo
running crab spider
Ebo is a genus of running crab spiders in the family Philodromidae, first described by German arachnologist Eugen von Keyserling in 1884. These small spiders are distinguished by their extremely elongated second pair of legs, which are at least twice the length of the other legs. The genus formerly contained 22 North American species, but recent taxonomic revisions reassigned most to the genus Titanebo, leaving seven species in Ebo sensu stricto. The genus has a broad distribution including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, India, and Russia, with highest diversity in the southwestern United States.
Ebo evansae
Evans's Running Crab Spider
Ebo evansae is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae. The genus Ebo is characterized by extremely elongated second legs that are at least twice the length of the other legs, giving these small spiders the greatest relative leg span for their body size among North American spiders. Body length ranges from 2–6 mm depending on species. The genus name derives from a medieval German diminutive meaning 'prince' or 'lord'. Ebo evansae occurs in the United States and Mexico.
Ebo latithorax
running crab spider
Ebo latithorax is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae. It belongs to a genus characterized by exceptionally long second legs that are at least twice the length of the other legs, giving these small spiders an unusual 'wingspan' relative to their body size. The species is found in the United States and Canada, with records from Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Like other philodromids, it is an active hunter that prowls for prey among vegetation rather than building webs to capture food.
Ebo pepinensis
running crab spider
Ebo pepinensis is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, first described by Gertsch in 1933. It is a small spider with a body length of 2–6 mm, characterized by its extremely elongated second pair of legs that are at least twice as long as the other legs. The species is found across the United States and southern Canada. Like other philodromids, it is an active hunter that prowls for prey among grasses and foliage rather than building webs to capture food.
Philodromus anomalus
running crab spider
Philodromus anomalus is a running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, first described by Gertsch in 1934. It is a member of the infraorder Araneomorphae, the "true spiders." The species is known from the United States, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in published literature.
Philodromus californicus
California running crab spider
Philodromus californicus is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae. It is native to North America, with records from the United States. As a member of the Philodromidae, it belongs to a family characterized by laterigrade leg orientation that permits sideways movement. The species was described by Keyserling in 1884.
Philodromus cespitum
Turf Running Spider, Running Crab Spider
Philodromus cespitum is a small running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, widely distributed across the Holarctic region. It is the dominant spider species in Central European fruit orchards, where it functions as an important biological control agent. Males measure 3.5–5.0 mm, females approximately 5.3 mm. Body coloration is variable, typically in shades of brown or yellow with spotted patterns. The species exhibits distinctive reproductive biology including male courtship tapping behavior and the use of genital plugs during copulation.
Philodromus dispar
Eurasian Running Crab Spider
Philodromus dispar is a small running crab spider native to Eurasia that has been introduced to North America. It is an active hunter that does not build webs, instead ambushing prey on vegetation. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in coloration: males are shiny black or dark brown with white margins, while females are highly variable in size and color. Its attachment ability depends on ambient humidity, with optimal adhesion at intermediate humidity levels.
Philodromus exilis
Philodromus exilis is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae. It is found in the United States and Canada. The species belongs to a family characterized by laterigrade legs adapted for sideways movement and active hunting behavior rather than web-building.
Philodromus imbecillus
running crab spider
Philodromus imbecillus is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, first described by Keyserling in 1880. It occurs in the United States and Canada. Like other members of its genus, it is an active hunter that does not build webs to capture prey.
Philodromus infuscatus
Running crab spider
Philodromus infuscatus is a running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, part of the infuscatus species group comprising 20 species and 2 subspecies. The species is divided into two subspecies: P. i. infuscatus in the eastern United States and P. i. utus Chamberlin in the western United States. It is the only member of its species group to reach Canada. These spiders are active hunters that do not build webs to capture prey.
Philodromus infuscatus utus
Philodromus infuscatus utus is a subspecies of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, described by Chamberlin in 1921. It belongs to the infuscatus species group, which comprises 20 species and 2 subspecies distributed across North and Central America and the West Indies. This subspecies is distinguished from the nominate P. i. infuscatus by its occurrence in the western United States, whereas the nominate form occurs in the eastern United States. The infuscatus group as a whole is endemic to the Americas with primary habitats in arid regions of the United States and Mexico.
Philodromus josemitensis
Philodromus josemitensis is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae. It occurs in the United States and Canada. As a member of the genus Philodromus, it shares the characteristic laterigrade leg orientation that allows sideways movement. The species was described by Gertsch in 1934.
Philodromus keyserlingi
running crab spider
Philodromus keyserlingi is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae. It occurs in the United States and Canada. Like other members of its genus, it is an active hunter that does not build webs to capture prey, instead relying on speed and ambush. The species is part of a diverse genus of crab spiders commonly encountered on vegetation and structures.
Philodromus laticeps
running crab spider
Philodromus laticeps is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae. It is native to the United States. As a member of the genus Philodromus, it exhibits the characteristic laterigrade leg orientation typical of running crab spiders, allowing sideways movement.
Philodromus lutulentus
Philodromus lutulentus is a running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, described by Gertsch in 1934. As a member of the genus Philodromus, it shares the characteristic laterigrade leg orientation that distinguishes this group from other crab spiders. The species epithet 'lutulentus' refers to something muddy or turbid, possibly alluding to coloration or habitat associations. Like other philodromids, it is an active hunter that does not build webs to capture prey.
Philodromus marginellus
Philodromus marginellus is a running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, first described by Banks in 1901. As a member of the genus Philodromus, it shares the family's characteristic laterigrade leg orientation, with legs extending sideways from the body rather than vertically. The species occurs in North America, with records from the United States and Mexico. Like other philodromids, it is an active hunter that does not build webs to capture prey.
Philodromus marxi
Metallic Crab Spider
Philodromus marxi is a running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, commonly known as the metallic crab spider. The species exhibits strong sexual dimorphism: males have a smooth, metallic sheen while females are bristly and colored white and grey. It is found throughout the United States and is frequently encountered in human dwellings, including bathrooms and showers.
Philodromus mineri
running crab spider
Philodromus mineri is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, first described by Gertsch in 1933. It is found in the United States. Running crab spiders in this genus are characterized by their laterigrade leg orientation, which allows them to move sideways with agility. The specific epithet honors an individual named Miner, though the etymological details are not documented in available sources.
Philodromus minutus
Philodromus minutus is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae. It is native to North America and has been documented in the United States and Canada. Like other members of its genus, it is an active hunter that does not build webs to capture prey. The species has been recorded in citizen science databases with multiple observations, indicating it is encountered with some regularity.
Philodromus oneida
Oneida Running Crab Spider
Philodromus oneida is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, first described by Levi in 1951. It is distributed across the United States and Canada, with records from Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba in Canada. As a member of the genus Philodromus, it shares the characteristic laterigrade leg orientation that allows sideways movement, typical of running crab spiders.
Philodromus peninsulanus
Philodromus peninsulanus is a running crab spider species in the family Philodromidae, first described by Gertsch in 1934. It belongs to a genus of active hunting spiders that do not build webs to capture prey. The species occurs in North America, with records from the United States and Canada.
Philodromus pinyonelis
Philodromus pinyonelis is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, described by Schick in 1965. As a member of the genus Philodromus, it belongs to a group of spiders commonly known as "running crab spiders" that are frequently encountered on vegetation and human structures. The species is documented from the United States, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain sparse in published literature.
Philodromus placidus
running crab spider
Philodromus placidus is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae. It is commonly found across North America, with distribution records from Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) and the United States. As a member of the Philodromidae, it is an active hunter that does not build webs to capture prey.
Philodromus possiblepratariae
Running crab spider
Philodromus possiblepratariae is a running crab spider in the family Philodromidae. Like other members of this genus, it is an active hunter that does not build webs to capture prey. The species is part of a diverse genus of spiders commonly found on vegetation and structures, where they rely on speed and camouflage to ambush prey. The specific epithet suggests possible taxonomic uncertainty or similarity to P. pratariae.
Philodromus praelustris
Resplendent Running Crab Spider
Philodromus praelustris is a running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, found in the United States and Canada. It has an annual life cycle and is known to occur in orchard habitats in Ontario. Females are capable of producing multiple egg sacs, with laboratory observations recording up to 12 sacs containing over 200 eggs total, though fecundity in natural settings appears lower. The species disperses primarily by bridging—casting air-borne web loops that catch on distant objects—rather than by ballooning.
Philodromus quercicola
Philodromus quercicola is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, described by Schick in 1965. It belongs to a genus of active hunters that do not build webs to capture prey. The species is found in the United States, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented.
Philodromus rodecki
running crab spider
Philodromus rodecki is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae. It occurs in the United States and Canada. As a member of the genus Philodromus, it shares the family's characteristic laterigrade leg orientation, allowing sideways movement. The species was described by Gertsch and Jellison in 1939.
Philodromus rufus
white-striped running crab spider
Philodromus rufus is a Holarctic running crab spider in the family Philodromidae. Laboratory studies indicate pronounced sexual dimorphism in predatory efficiency, with adult females killing approximately six times more prey than males. The species exhibits a functional response to prey density influenced by prey activity levels. Five subspecies are recognized, including the nominate form and four regional variants in North America.
Philodromus rufus jenningsi
Philodromus rufus jenningsi is a subspecies of running crab spider described by Cutler in 2003. It belongs to the family Philodromidae, a group of active hunters that pursue prey rather than building webs. The subspecies is known from limited records in France and Korea, with the nominate form P. rufus having a much broader distribution across the Northern Hemisphere. Like other philodromids, it is likely a diurnal predator of small insects.
Philodromus rufus pacificus
Pacific running crab spider
Philodromus rufus pacificus is a subspecies of running crab spider endemic to the Pacific Northwest of the United States. It belongs to the family Philodromidae, a group known for their laterigrade leg orientation that permits sideways movement. The subspecies is distinguished from the nominate form by specific morphological traits. Running crab spiders are sit-and-wait predators that do not build webs for prey capture.
Philodromus rufus quartus
Philodromus rufus quartus is a subspecies of running crab spider described by Dondale & Redner in 1968. It belongs to the family Philodromidae, a group of active hunters that do not build webs to capture prey. The subspecies is distributed across a broad Palearctic range including France, Korea, and parts of Russia and Central Asia. As a member of the Philodromus rufus species complex, it exhibits the characteristic laterigrade leg posture and flattened body form typical of bark-dwelling crab spiders.
Philodromus rufus vibrans
Philodromus rufus vibrans is a subspecies of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae. It occurs in North America and is distinguished from the nominate subspecies by its small size, heavily speckled appearance, and distinctive male courtship behavior involving leg vibration. Males possess an angular retrolateral apophysis on the palpal tibia. The subspecies inhabits diverse terrestrial environments across the United States and Canada.
Philodromus spectabilis
Philodromus spectabilis is a running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, distributed across the United States and Canada. As a member of this family, it exhibits the characteristic laterigrade leg posture that enables sideways movement. The species has been documented in multiple Canadian provinces including Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, as well as throughout the United States. It is one of many Philodromus species that occasionally enters human dwellings and has been observed in indoor environments such as bathrooms.
Philodromus vulgaris
longlegged crab spider
Philodromus vulgaris is a running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, commonly known as the longlegged crab spider. It is a small to medium-sized spider found across North America, including the United States and Canada. The species belongs to a genus known for its flattened body form and laterigrade leg orientation, adaptations that facilitate sideways movement and hunting on flat surfaces. It is one of numerous Philodromus species documented in the region, though specific biological details remain limited in published literature.
Rhysodromus alascensis
Rhysodromus alascensis is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae. It has a broad transcontinental distribution spanning northern North America and Eurasia, including Alaska, Siberia, Kazakhstan, and China. The species was originally described as Philodromus alascensis by Keyserling in 1884 and later transferred to the genus Rhysodromus. Like other philodromids, it is an active hunter that does not build webs to capture prey.
Rhysodromus histrio
Attractive Running Crab Spider
Rhysodromus histrio is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae. It serves as the type species of the genus Rhysodromus. The species has a broad distribution across the Northern Hemisphere, occurring in North America, Europe, and Asia. It is an active hunter that does not build webs to capture prey.
Rhysodromus mysticus
Rhysodromus mysticus is a running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, originally described as Philodromus mysticus in 1975. The species has a transcontinental distribution spanning northern Eurasia and North America. Like other philodromids, it is an active hunter that does not build webs to capture prey.
Thanatus
false crab spiders, running crab spiders
A genus of running crab spiders (family Philodromidae) described by C.L. Koch in 1837. Adults reach 5–6 mm in body length and are primarily ground-dwelling hunters found on low vegetation and open surfaces. The genus is distinguished from similar Philodromus by eye arrangement differences and is characterized by a prominent leaf-like cardiac mark on the anterior dorsal abdomen. Thanatus species overwinter as adults and are among the most abundant active spiders in early spring in temperate regions.
Thanatus altimontis
Thanatus altimontis is a running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, first described by Gertsch in 1933. As a member of the genus Thanatus, it shares the characteristic ground-dwelling hunting behavior typical of this group, contrasting with the vegetation-dwelling habits of related slender crab spiders (Tibellus). The species occurs in mountainous regions of western North America, with records from the western United States, Mexico, and western Canadian provinces. Like other Thanatus species, it likely overwinters as an adult and becomes active in early spring, when specimens have been observed basking on warm surfaces.
Thanatus formicinus
Running Crab Spider, Ant-mimic Crab Spider
Thanatus formicinus is a running crab spider in the family Philodromidae with a Holarctic distribution spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. It is a ground-dwelling hunter active during spring and early summer, often observed basking on warm surfaces like concrete paths. The species exhibits ant-mimicry in both appearance and behavior, a distinctive trait among crab spiders.
Thanatus striatus
Striped Running Crab Spider
Thanatus striatus is a running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, characterized by its striped cephalothorax and ground-dwelling hunting behavior. The species has a broad distribution across the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, Europe, Turkey, Russia, and Central Asia. It is active primarily in spring and early summer, with adults capable of overwintering. The species is distinguished from similar slender crab spiders by its more robust body form and preference for ground-level habitats.
Thanatus vulgaris
Cricket Thief Spider
Thanatus vulgaris is a running crab spider in the family Philodromidae with a remarkably wide global distribution spanning native Palearctic ranges and introduced populations across multiple continents. The species occupies diverse terrestrial habitats from natural grasslands and shrublands to agricultural systems. It is known for ground-dwelling behavior and has been observed engaging in ballooning dispersal. Two subspecies are recognized: T. v. vulgaris and T. v. creticus.
Tibellus chamberlini
Chamberlin's Slender Crab Spider
Tibellus chamberlini is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, first described by Gertsch in 1933. It belongs to a genus of slender, elongate spiders adapted for ambush hunting on grasses and foliage. The species is distributed across the United States and Canada, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented compared to better-known congeners.
Tibellus duttoni
Dutton's Slender Crab Spider
Tibellus duttoni is a running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, characterized by its elongated body form and grass-mimicking appearance. It hunts by ambush on vegetation rather than building webs to capture prey. The species occurs across much of North America, including the United States, Mexico, and southern Canada. Adults are relatively small, with females typically larger than males.
Tibellus maritimus
Maritime Running Crab Spider
Tibellus maritimus is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, characterized by its slender body and vertical striped pattern that provides effective camouflage on grasses and foliage. The species is notable within its genus for lacking the two dark dorsal spots on the abdomen that distinguish related species such as T. oblongus and T. asiaticus. It is the only Tibellus species in the Canadian portion of its range without these spots. The spider hunts by ambush, lying flattened on vegetation to capture prey.
Titanebo
Titanebo is a genus of running crab spiders in the family Philodromidae, first described by Gertsch in 1933. The genus comprises 14 species distributed in the southwestern United States and Mexico. These spiders were historically classified under the genus Ebo but were reassigned to Titanebo based on taxonomic revision. They are characterized by their elongated second pair of legs, a distinctive trait among philodromid spiders.