Xysticus californicus
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adult female, live |
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adult male, live |
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female genitalia; epigynum |
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male genitalia; palp, ventral view |
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grape size comparison with adult spiders; male (left), female (right) |
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.
