Ground Crab Spider - (Xysticus spp.)

The Ground Crab Spider wanders around until it can pounce on an unsuspecting insect victim.

Staff Writer (1/20/2014): Crab spiders get their name from the resemblance they share with the crustacean as they walk and when they sit at rest. Their crab-like appearance is linked to the slightly longer sets of front legs than back legs. Ground Crab Spiders are able to walk sideways and backwards as well as forward. Not all spiders can do this.

They sit on flowers and leaves, ambushing their prey as it visits the plant. Butterflies, bees, flies and beetles are all targets. The strong front legs are used to grab the insect and then it is quickly bitten and immobilized.

Males use silk to gently secure females before mating. Females lay fertilized eggs in silken sacs that they guard until spiderlings hatch. The Ground Crab Spider does not weave a web for trapping prey.

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Details of the:
Ground Crab Spider

Category: Spider
Common name: Ground Crab Spider
Scientific Name: Xysticus spp.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Arachnida

Order: Araneae

Family: Thomisidae

Genus: Xysticus

Species: spp.

Size (Adult, Length): 3mm to 9mm (0.12in to 0.35in)

Identifying Colors: brown; black; red; tan

Additional Descriptors: crab, mottled, venomous, biting, spiky, spine, hairy

North American Reach (Though Not Limited To*): Alabama; Alaska; Arizona; Arkansas; California; Colorado; Connecticut; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Hawaii; Idaho; Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; Michigan; Minnesota; Mississippi; Missouri; Montana; Nebraska; Nevada; New Hampshire; New Jersey; New Mexico; New York; North Carolina; North Dakota; Ohio; Oklahoma; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Vermont; Virginia; Washington; West Virginia; Wisconsin; Wyoming; Alberta; British Columbia; Manitoba; New Brunswick; Newfoundland and Labrador; Nova Scotia; Ontario; Prince Edward Island; Quebec; Saskatchewan; Mexico

* Keep in mind that an insect's reach is not limited by lines on a map and therefore may appear in areas/regions/states beyond those listed above.

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