Turf Running Crab Spider Philodromus cespitum
The Turf Running Crab Spider is one of several Running Crab Spiders.
This one, with the unfortunate Latin name of cess pit, is native across Eurasia, North Africa and North America.
This one has a tail! Shown are the fat females; the males are much thinner and darker.
They hunt by sitting on a leaf and waiting for prey to pass.
Wandering Crab Spider Philodromus aureolus
The Wandering Crab Spider is another of the Running Crabs. Like other crab spiders, they
hold their front legs in a crab-like manner and can run sideways.
Like the Turf Runner above, the chevron pattern on the abdomen is not always clear.
The Wandering Crab Spider is often found in houses. It is a useful ambush predator of small pests
(eg clothes moth and carpet beetle larvae).
Running Crab Spider Philodromus albidus
Another Running Crab Spider P. albidus has a pale head and legs and
often also a pale body. It is about 4mm long.
La vie en rose
It likes scented white roses. Like other Running Crab Spiders, it is an ambush predator,
often from low trees and bushes.
Running Crab Spider Philodromus dispar
Female
Female
Male
P. dispar gets its name from the disparity in appearance of the dark,
strangely-shaped males, which look like a totally different species.
It is about 5mm long and often found in gardens.
Its appearance is variable and often needs microscopic examination to distinguish from P. cespitum.