Philodromidae, also called running crab spiders, are characterized by their long front legs, flattened body, and sideways crab-like movement. They are primarily predators and actively hunt their prey rather than building webs.
Philodromidae are found worldwide in a wide range of habitats from forests to urban areas.
List of Philodromidae genera (external link to Araneae)
Known genera:
- Celerrimus
- Gephyrota
- Halodromus
- Philodromus
- Phlchellodromus
- Rhysodromus
- Thanatus
- Tibellus
Genus Philodromus
The genus Philodromus is one of the largest within the Philodromidae family. It includes many crab spider species.
These spiders share common features: flattened bodies, long front legs, and cryptic coloration to blend into their environment. They are fast-moving hunters and do not use webs for capturing prey.
They feed mainly on insects and other small arthropods. You can find them in wooded areas, meadows, and gardens.
Philodromus sp
Philodromus aureolus species complex
| Order | Araneae |
|---|---|
| Family | Philodromidae |
| Genus | Philodromus |
| Species | Aureolus |
| Identifier | Clerck |
| Year of ID | 1757 |
| Male size min | 3.5 |
| Male size max | 6.5 |
| Female size min | 4 |
| Female size max | 8.5 |
| Color | Yellowish-brown |
| Cephalothorax | Wide shiny central band |
| Abdomen | Very variable: brown, yellowish, spotted, shiny median stripe, dark cardiac mark, dark chevrons |
| Legs | Gray-yellow or brown with dark marks |
| Habitat | Shrubs, Dry grasslands, Gardens, Trees |
| Web | Does not build a web |
| Active from | January |
| Active to | December |
| Region | Europe |
| Note |
References:
https://www.gbif.org/fr/species/10196288
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philodromus_aureolus
Philodromus dispar – Disparate Crab Spider
| Order | Araneae |
|---|---|
| Family | Philodromidae |
| Genus | Philodromus |
| Species | Dispar |
| Identifier | Walckenaer |
| Year of ID | 1826 |
| Male size min | 4 |
| Male size max | 5 |
| Female size min | 4 |
| Female size max | 6 |
| Color | Light beige (female); dark brown to black (male) |
| Cephalothorax | Beige in female; dark in male with a pale marginal band (both) |
| Abdomen | Broad white band surrounding the abdomen |
| Legs | Smooth |
| Habitat | Human dwellings, Shrubs, Gardens, Trees |
| Web | Does not build a web |
| Active from | March |
| Active to | October |
| Region | Europe, Asia, North America |
| Note |
References:
https://www.gbif.org/fr/species/5169527
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philodromus_dispar
http://www.dipode-vie.net/Arachnides/Philodromidae/Philodromus/dispar.html