Community identification
Running Crab Spider
Philodromus species
- Order & Family
- Araneae: Philodromidae
- Size
- 3 to 10 mm in body length, with a relatively wide leg span.
Natural Habitat
Found on vegetation, tree bark, and often wandering onto the walls or ceilings of buildings.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous; they are active hunters that ambush or chase down small insects like flies and mosquitoes.
Behavior Patterns
They do not build webs to catch prey. They are known for being very fast runners with a flattened body shape that allows them to hide in narrow crevices.
Risks & Benefits
They provide a benefit to the ecosystem by controlling pest populations. They are generally considered harmless to humans, as their venom is not medically significant and they are not aggressive.