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Description of Xysticus audax
Physical Characteristics
Strongly resembles Xysticus cristatus and Xysticus lanio. The triangular spot on the carapace is shorter and blunter than in Xysticus cristatus.
Female 4 to 8 mm. Kleur en tekening variabel.
Abdomen brown with a dark outlined leaf-like pattern. This pattern is not always clear.
Carapace dark brown with a light broad median band containing a darker triangular spot that reaches halfway the carapace and two dark spots at the rear next to the median band.
Legs and palps light brown with dark spots and annulations.
Male 3 to 5 mm.
Abdomen dark brown to black with white-yellow outline and yellow-white bands on top, which create a leaf-like pattern.
Carapace black-brown with a broad yellow-brown median band which reaches as far as the anterior eyes and contains a darker triangular spot that reaches halfway the carapace and a thin yellow band along the edge.
Legs yellow-brown with black-brown spots. First two pairs of legs from the top to halfway the tibiae black-brown with yellow annulations and thickened. Yellow-brown below.
Palps black-brown with yellow annulations.
Habitat
In low vegetation in open areas, along forest edges and heathlands.
Distribution
Common in the whole of Europe.
Period
Summer.