Vegetation-dwelling
Guides
Diaea
Flower Spiders
Diaea is a genus of crab spiders (family Thomisidae) first described by Thorell in 1869. The genus contains 46 species as of September 2025, most with restricted distributions except for D. livens (United States) and D. dorsata (Palearctic). Adults range 4–7 mm in body length and are strongly associated with vegetation, particularly flowers, where their green, yellow, or white coloration provides camouflage.
Mesopsocidae
Middle Barklice
Mesopsocidae is a family of barklice within the order Psocodea, suborder Psocomorpha. The family contains over 70 described species and is distinguished by a key morphological feature: a free areola postica in the wing venation. Members are small, soft-bodied insects commonly found in association with vegetation and bark surfaces.
Philodromidae
Running Crab Spiders, Philodromid Crab Spiders
Philodromidae is a family of araneomorph spiders comprising over 530 species across 31 genera. Members are commonly called running crab spiders or philodromid crab spiders due to their crab-like appearance and sideways-oriented legs. Unlike true crab spiders (Thomisidae), philodromids do not construct webs for prey capture but instead hunt by ambush. They are primarily associated with vegetation, where they occur on stems, leaves, and tree trunks.