Xysticus is a genus of ground crab spiders described by C. L. Koch in 1835, belonging to the order Araneae, family Thomisidae. The genus name is derived from the Ancient Greek root xyst, meaning "scraped, scraper".
Xysticus
Female Xysticus sp. with egg sac
A ground crab spider with earthy coloration
Xysticus audax
The Thomisidae are a family of spiders, including about 170 genera and over 2,100 species. The common name crab spider is often linked to species in this family, but is also applied loosely to many other families of spiders. Many members of this family are also known as flower spiders or flower crab spiders.
Thomisidae
Crab spider feeding on a Junonia atlites butterfly in a Zinnia elegans flower
Crab spider waiting in ambush, Behbahan, Iran
Misumena vatia female