Cedar Creek
Natural History Area
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Insects of Cedar Creek
Order ARACHNIDA
Family THOMISIDAE
(Crab Spiders)
Most of the Crab Spiders collected both in pitfalls and in sweeps belong
to the genus Xysticus. At least five species have been differentiated
(i.e. spot, red, brown, stripe, and large). They are most common in early
summer (June-July). Other crabs include Synema bicolor, Tmarus
sp, Coriachne sp,
Misumenops
asperator, Misumenops sp, and the pink-striped
'flower crab' Misumena vatia. Xeric, weedy fields are favored
by this family.
PHILODROMIDAE
Common Crab Spiders in this family include the elongate Tibellus
oblongus abundant in sweeps in mid-summer, and Thanatus
sp most frequently taken in pitfalls in early summer.