cambridges krabspin
Xysticus luctator
The Cambridge krabspin (Xysticus luctator) is a small crab spider characterized by its cryptic brown and white mottled coloration that provides excellent camouflage against tree bark and lichen. These ambush predators play a crucial role in forest ecosystems by controlling populations of flying insects, particularly small flies and moths that they capture on tree trunks and branches.
23
Countries
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Hubert Szymanski, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Hubert Szymanski
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Arachnida
Order
Araneae
Family
Thomisidae
Genus
Xysticus
cambridges krabspin belongs to the family Thomisidae, order Araneae, within the Arachnida class.
Species Profile
The Cambridge krabspin (Xysticus luctator) is a small crab spider characterized by its cryptic brown and white mottled coloration that provides excellent camouflage against tree bark and lichen. These ambush predators play a crucial role in forest ecosystems by controlling populations of flying insects, particularly small flies and moths that they capture on tree trunks and branches.
The Cambridge krabspin spider faces significant threats from habitat degradation and fragmentation of its specialized microhabitats. Climate change and agricultural intensification are reducing the availability of suitable hunting grounds and web-building sites, while urbanization continues to fragment remaining populations across its range.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Inhabits low vegetation, grasslands, heathlands, and woodland edges where it constructs small orb webs close to the ground. Prefers areas with diverse plant structure and abundant small flying insects, typically found in semi-natural habitats with minimal disturbance.
Threats
Agricultural intensification and pesticide use
Habitat fragmentation from urban development
Climate change altering prey availability
Loss of native vegetation and ground cover
Pollution affecting invertebrate prey communities
Found in 23 Countries
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). cambridges krabspin (Xysticus luctator). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/cambridges-krabspin