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National Distribution

About this species

Recorded altitude range

Species text

Distribution
The species occurs in the southern half of England, north to Yorkshire. It is widespread in north-western and central Europe, but has not been recorded from Ireland or Norway.

Habitat and ecology
A. simulans occurs in areas of scrub, on hedges and along green lanes as well as woodland edge, rides and coppice in broad-leaved or coniferised woodland. It has been found on bushes and small trees, often hawthorn, rose, oak, but also yew and other conifers and occasionally on low herbage, as well as on structures such as gravestones, churchyard walls, fences and even a telephone box (J. Daws, pers. comm.). More often than not it turns up in the more shaded areas of the habitats (M. Askins, pers. comm.). Adults of both sexes are found from May to July, with females occasionally persisting until the autumn.

Status
In most of central-southern England the spider is local and never particularly numerous, but in Essex, Wiltshire and Leicestershire it has been found to be relatively frequent.

Threats
The loss of woodland to intensive forestry and the removal of hedgerows. Pesticide spray drift is likely to be detrimental to the species in hedgerows and scrub adjacent to arable land as is the over-brutal maintenance of hedges by flailing.

Original author of profile: P.R. Harvey, using information in Merrett (1990).

Text based on Harvey, P.R., Nellist, D.R. & Telfer, M.G. (eds) 2002. Provisional atlas of British spiders (Arachnida, Araneae), Volumes 1 & 2. Huntingdon: Biological Records Centre.  References

Adult Season

Habitats

background methodology

Recorded management for locations with Achaearanea simulans

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Achaearanea simulans

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