Summary for Cryptachaea blattea (Araneae)

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National Distribution

 
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Cryptachaea blattea Male Upperside Copyright: Matt Prince
Identification difficulty rating: 5
Name: Cryptachaea blattea
Authority: (Urquhart, 1886)
Order: Arachnida: Araneae
Family: Theridiidae
IUCN status: NA

Records: 135
First Record: 2015
Latest Record: 2023

1992-on hectads: 43
Pre-1992 hectads: 0
Total hectads: 43

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About this species

Recorded altitude range
5m to 140m

Species text

Distribution - single specimens have been found at a few isolated sites in the south of England, and colonies appear to have established in Cornwall, Devon and in the wildlife garden of the Natural History Museum.

Habitat and Ecology - A synanthropic species. The spider is found on man made structures and objects from ground level to no more than two feet high, in darker, shaded situations. They have been found underneath windowsills and piping on houses, on discarded waste and rubbish and also plastic garden furniture (including slides/playhouses). The female builds a typical theridiid scaffold web between anchor points and generally catches crawling insects including ants. The web becomes more extensive with long ground threads in more undisturbed locations where space allows. Towards the centre of the web the spider creates a retreat using detritus, which it sits underneath or behind rather than inside. Once the female lays eggs, the sacks are incorporated into the retreat and the spider can be very well camouflaged sitting against this structure. Males have been found in the webs with the females, usually at the periphery but sometimes on the retreat next to the female. Individuals have been found from March to October, with maturity occurring around May/June.

Status - An introduced and synanthropic species that appears to be establishing at least in the South West.

Original author of profile: Tylan Berry  References

 Account last edited by Peter Harvey at 14:40 on Sun 9th May 2021.

Adult Season

Adult Season Data (based on 111 records with adult season information)


Habitats

background methodology

Broad Habitat Data (based on 53 records with habitat information)

Broad subhabitat Data (based on 6 records with subhabitat information)

Structural Habitat Data (based on 49 records with structural habitat information)

Habitat Detail and Method (based on 61 records with habitat detail and method information)

Recorded management for locations with Cryptachaea blattea

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Cryptachaea blattea

Images

Dark female Cryptachaea blattea with retreat and egg sac
Dark female Cryptachaea blattea with retreat and egg sac
Cryptachaea blattea female posterior
Cryptachaea blattea female posterior
Cryptachaea blattea female lateral
Cryptachaea blattea female lateral
Cryptachaea blattea female ventral
Cryptachaea blattea female ventral
Cryptachaea blattea female dorsal
Cryptachaea blattea female dorsal
Cryptachaea blattea female showing abdominal tubercle
Cryptachaea blattea female showing abdominal tubercle
Cryptachaea blattea female  (light)
Cryptachaea blattea female (light)
Cryptachaea blattea female  (dark)
Cryptachaea blattea female (dark)
Cryptachaea blattea Gloucester 2
Cryptachaea blattea Gloucester 2
Cryptachaea blattea Gloucester
Cryptachaea blattea Gloucester
Cryptachaea blattea Male Upperside
Cryptachaea blattea Male Upperside
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