Arachnids of North Carolina
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View Philodromidae Members: NC Records

Philodromus rufus - a running crab spider

Philodromus rufusPhilodromus rufusPhilodromus rufusPhilodromus rufusPhilodromus rufus
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, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIFTechnical 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
Structural photos
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.
Philodromus rufus
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
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Philodromus rufus - a running crab spider

43 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Donald Zepp on 2025-03-13
Lee Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-11-18
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-11-05
Hoke Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-07-17
Ashe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-05-24
Rutherford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-15
Martin Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-02-17
Craven Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-02-17
Craven Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-12-28
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-12-20
Surry Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-17
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-17
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-11-17
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark BASINGER & Donald ZEPP on 2023-11-06
Edgecombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-09-14
Rutherford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-08-17
Yancey Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-04-29
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald Zepp on 2022-03-05
Johnston Co.
Comment: Palpus show in "Structural Photos," above
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2022-03-04
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2021-04-18
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-04-14
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Peter HULTH & Donald ZEPP on 2020-11-24
Johnston Co.
Comment: Penultimate, molted 16 Dec, reared until 12 Jan 2021, when it died.
Recorded by: Peter HULTH & Donald ZEPP on 2020-11-24
Johnston Co.
Comment: Adult female: Captured as penultimate, molted 16 Dec, reared until 12 Jan 2021, when it died.		Recorded by: Peter HULTH & Donald ZEPP on 2020-11-24
Johnston Co.
Comment: Venter of abdomen
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-11-23
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jennifer Molan on 2020-11-05
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2020-10-08
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2020-10-08
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-10-02
Stokes Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2020-02-12
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: