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National Distribution

About this species

Distribution
The species is widely distributed in England, mainly near the coast in Wales and with few records for Scotland. A Holarctic species, widespread in western and central Europe, but becoming rare in the north, absent from Norway and Finland and listed in the Red List for Sweden (Gärdenfors 2000).

Habitat and ecology
The species is found in gardens, cellars and outhouses under rubble or other debris but is also recorded in more natural habitats under logs in woodland or hedgerows and under stones. According to Bristowe the species is more likely than the other two species to be found in shady and damper situations in walls or at the entrances to caves or tunnels. It is probably under-recorded despite its large size and impressive appearance. Adults occur throughout the year but mainly in the spring and early summer.

Status
The spider is much less common than A. fenestralis and A. similis and becomes rare in the north of Britain.

Original author of profile: P.R. Harvey

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 Amaurobius ferox

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Amaurobius ferox

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