Arachnids of North Carolina
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View Philodromidae Members: NC Records

Philodromus rufus - a running crab spider

Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Philodromidae                                                                                 
Comments: Of the four subspecies recognized for P. rufus, three may be found in eastern states, where they tend to be allopatric, although P.r. jenningsi has been found in the lower elevations of the NC Smokey Mountains, near where P.r. vibrans has been found at higher elevations.
Species Comment: Philodromus rufus has five accepted subspecies, viz.: P.r. jenningsi, pacificus, quartus, vibrans, and virescens.
Identification
Online Description/Photos: Similar to thomisid spiders, but usually less colorful. Contrary to thomisid legs, philodromid legs II are longer than legs I. BugGuide, Google Images, WikipediaTechnical Description: Dondale, Charles D. and James H. Redner. 1978. The insects and arachnids of Canada, Part 5. The crab spiders of Canada and Alaska, Araneae: Philodromidae and Thomisidae. Research Branch Agriculture Canada Publication 1663: 255pp.
Comments: Of the three subspecies of P. rufus reported from NC, P. r. jenningsi, lacks the dark, longitudinal borders found on the carapace of quartus and vibrans, while the latter two differ superficially in the length of their posterior abdominal chevrons, quartus's not reaching fully to the longitudinal dark abdominal sides.
Total Length: Female 2.7-4.5mm, males 2.5-3.5mmAdult ID: identifiable by photo
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Generally Holarctic, but not common in the deep southeast, although P.r.jenningsi has been found in northern Georgia, and locations in central and northern Mississippi.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Adult phenology:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Many habitats: broad leaf and coniferous forests, old field, forest openings, understory vegetation, and grasses.
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency: Common
Behavior: Fast runners, they will often pop 'round to the other side of a leaf when disturbed and then remain motionless.
Status in North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Philodromus rufus - a running crab spider

Recorded by: Peter Hulth
Johnston Co.
Comment: Penultimate, molted 16 Dec, reared until 12 Jan 2021, when it died.		Recorded by: Peter Hulth
Johnston Co.
Comment: Adult female: Captured as penultimate, molted 16 Dec, reared until 12 Jan 2021, when it died.
Recorded by: Peter Hulth
Johnston Co.
Comment: Venter of abdomen		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: Donald Zepp
Johnston Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jennifer Molan
Brunswick Co.
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Recorded by: Vin Stanton
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Vin Stanton
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Stokes Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Sanford, J. Hiatt, N. Davis
Camden Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Carteret Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Halifax Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Stokes Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Watauga Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Watauga Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Warren Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Avery Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Stokes Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
New Hanover Co.
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