Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Chelicerates (Chelicerata) » Arachnids (Arachnida) » Tailless Whipscorpions (Amblypygi) » Phrynidae

Family Phrynidae

Tailless Whipscorpion - Paraphrynus carolynae AZ MJ Bug - Paraphrynus carolynae bug - Phrynus operculatus What is this? - Paraphrynus carolynae Paraphrynus mexicanus? - Paraphrynus carolynae Paraphrynus carolynae Arizona Tailless Whip Scorpion - Paraphrynus carolynae Phrynus marginemaculatus
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Chelicerata (Chelicerates)
Class Arachnida (Arachnids)
Order Amblypygi (Tailless Whipscorpions)
Family Phrynidae
Identification
Members of this family have flattened bodies, 3/8" (8-11 mm) long, with spiny pedipalps and slender, flat antennae-like legs. The cephalothorax is often wider than long, and the abdomen is generally shorter and narrower than the cephalothorax. The abdomen and cephalothorax are connected by a short stalk. The first pair of legs have long filamentous or whiplike tips. The remaining 3 pairs of legs are held to the side, crablike. (1)
Range
Phrynus marginemaculatus throughout Florida (more common as you go south), Paraphrynus raptator in the Florida Keys, Phrynus operculatus in parts of west Texas, and Paraphrynus carolynae in southern Arizona.
Habitat
Humid areas with cracks and crevices to hide in.
Food
Insects
Print References
Quintero, D. 1981. The amblypygid genus Phrynus in the Americas (Amblypygi, Phrynidae). J. Arachnol., 9: 117-166 - Info and key to genera
Internet References
Rochester Schools
Info provided by Lynette Schimming
Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck on 18 September, 2006 - 9:51am
Additional contributions by Steve Nanz, Tyler Hedlund, PaleoJon
Last updated 6 October, 2023 - 8:01pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2024 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology at Iowa State University logo