Community identification
Running Crab Spider
Philodromus sp.
- Order & Family
- Araneae: Philodromidae
- Size
- 3 to 10 mm (body length)
Natural Habitat
Found on various vegetation, tree trunks, and the exterior walls of buildings.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous; hunts small insects and other arthropods by chasing them down rather than using a web.
Behavior Patterns
Extremely fast runners that move in an erratic, crab-like fashion. They are active hunters that often flatten themselves against surfaces to remain camouflaged.
Risks & Benefits
Harmless to humans; they are beneficial to the ecosystem as they help control populations of pests like flies and mosquitoes.