Crab spider ID help

[Quality bleach]

South Texas, near laredo. On a prickly pear.

 

[Biollantefan54]

Not sure but looks like a member of Philodromidae, slightly more specific than just a crab spider but yeah im not sure past that

 

[William Dawson]

South Texas, near laredo. On a prickly pear.

That's a pretty neat looking spider. I'm not quite sure what species it is, but it has a very interesting pattern. Nice find.

 

[Quality bleach]

That's a pretty neat looking spider. I'm not quite sure what species it is, but it has a very interesting pattern. Nice find.

Thank you! Lots of cool stuff in south Texas. Also found a few tarantula slings under some tin.

 

[William Dawson]

Thank you! Lots of cool stuff in south Texas. Also found a few tarantula slings under some tin.

Oh wow, I don't have any tarantulas up here. I have some other cool crab spiders though.

 

[The Snark]

Philodromidae

Data request. What indicators did you use for that determination - Philodromidae and not Thomisidae? My search turned up Misumenoides formosipes - Whitebanded Crab Spider going by general shape.

 

[Biollantefan54]

Data request. What indicators did you use for that determination - Philodromidae and not Thomisidae? My search turned up Misumenoides formosipes - Whitebanded Crab Spider going by general shape.

The leg length and skinny overall body and legs fit much more with Philodromidae than Thomisidae. The legs are really thick in Thomisidae, as they sit and grasp large flying insects on flowers. Philodromidae are more active hunters and have a more agile body build. Also looking at the legs, apart from the second pair which are longer than the first, they are all about the same length. In Thomisidae, the back two legs are noticeably smaller and the second pair of legs is not substantially longer.

Looking at location, I’d say it’s likely to be in the genus Philodromus as well

 

[The Snark]

The leg length and skinny overall body and legs fit much more with Philodromidae than Thomisidae. The legs are really thick in Thomisidae, as they sit and grasp large flying insects on flowers. Philodromidae are more active hunters and have a more agile body build.

Good call!! Looking at images side by side the details become obvious. And a good rule for IDing. Unless someone is highly experienced and familiar with similar species a single photo often isn't enough.

 

[Quality bleach]

Found two more, both were also on a prickly pear.

 

[William Dawson]

Wow, those are awesome photos. I wish we knew for sure what species they were.