Current valid name

Xysticus californicus Keyserling (family Thomisidae)

Recognition and diagnostic features

Crab-like in appearance with front two pairs of legs much longer than hind two pairs, dark brown coloration.

Related or similar species

Xysticus locuples, Bassaniana utahensis

Spider

Body lengths when mature: male: 4.0 - 5.0 mm, female: 6.5 - 7.0 mm

Immatures resemble miniature adults.

Egg sac

No egg or egg sac information is available for this species

Distribution

In California: throughout much of state

Elsewhere: Canada

Native to North America

This species has not been transported or become established outside of its range.

Biology

Sit-and-wait predator. Collected from March to July.

Status in table grapes

Level of Incidence: uncommon

Level of Concern in New Zealand: WPNZ (May 2010) nr, BORIC (Dec 2011) nr (not listed), MAF-BPRA (2002) nr (coding definition)

Level of Concern in Australia: WPAU (2006) nr (coding definition)

Level of Medical importance: none

Common name

None for species, crab spiders for family

Taxonomic history

Stable

Selected references

Dondale, C. D., and J. H. Redner. 1978. The insects and arachnids of Canada, part 5: The crab spiders of Canada and Alaska (Araneae: Philodromidae and Thomisidae). Agriculture Canada, Ottawa.

Schick, R. X. 1965. The crab spiders of California (Araneida, Thomisidae). Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. 129: 1-180.