Arachnids of North Carolina
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View Thomisidae Members: NC Records

Xysticus ferox (Hentz, 1847) - a ground crab spider

Xysticus feroxXysticus feroxXysticus feroxXysticus feroxXysticus ferox
Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: ThomisidaeSynonym: X. transversatus                                                                                 
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIF
Comments: Characteristically, the adult has a central dark triangle posterior to the dorsal groove of the carapace, flanked by larger, dark spots (often triangular) on the posterior declivity.
Total Length: females 6-7mm, males 5-6mm
Structural photos
Xysticus ferox
Palp of NCBP 6873
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Alaska to Nova Scotia (including Sable Island), southward to Utah, Texas, and Georgia.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Xysticus ferox
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: old field
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency: Common in NC & many other places throughout its range.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Xysticus ferox - a ground crab spider

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

Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Jim Petranka on 2025-10-17
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Jim Petranka on 2025-10-17
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2025-10-06
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2025-10-06
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2025-10-06
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-09-28
Bladen Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-09-28
Bladen Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark A. BASINGER on 2025-08-10
Ashe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2025-06-01
Currituck Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Danielle Fogel on 2025-05-21
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2025-05-20
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2025-05-20
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2025-05-20
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-22
Franklin Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-22
Franklin Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-22
Franklin Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2025-03-14
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2025-02-04
Rowan Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George on 2024-08-31
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Donald Zepp on 2024-08-23
Nash Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Donald Zepp on 2024-08-23
Nash Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-08-01
Yancey Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-07-24
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-07-16
Mitchell Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Donald Zepp on 2024-05-31
Wayne Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Donald Zepp on 2024-05-31
Wayne Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-05-24
Rutherford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Haley Royer on 2024-05-08
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-10-20
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-10-19
Wilson Co.
Comment: