Summary for Drassyllus praeficus (Araneae)

previous species | next species

National Distribution

Logged-on? click on dot to query records. Please note our
Terms of Use. Double-click on map to go to region

View time series maps for Drassyllus praeficus

Identification difficulty rating: 3

Name: Drassyllus praeficus

Authority: (L.Koch, 1866)

Order: Arachnida: Araneae

Family: Gnaphosidae

National Rarity status: NS

IUCN status: LC

Records: 166

First Record: 1889

Latest Record: 2022

1992-on hectads: 34

Pre-1992 hectads: 21

Total hectads: 45

Explore Regional Distribution

Please log on and add a note on this species

Missing records?

About this species

Recorded altitude range
3m to 170m

Species text

Distribution
The species is restricted to southern England where it is widespread in an area of Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire, but very scattered elsewhere. It has recently been recorded from Great Orme in North Wales in 2002. It is widespread in north-western and central Europe, but has not been recorded from Ireland.

Habitat and ecology
Calcareous grassland and heathland. The spider is probably most frequent on chalk grassland, under stones. It is also sometimes found on dry heathland, mostly between about 6 to 12 years after fire. Adults of both sexes are found from May to July.

Status
Recorded from 19 hectads since 1992. This very local spider is never particularly numerous, but there is no evidence of decline.

Threats
The loss of chalk grassland and dry heathland to agriculture. Scrubbing over of heathland and chalk grassland.

Management and conservation
Maintain seral stages of heathland by rotational management, and maintain chalk grassland by traditional grazing.

Text based on Dawson, I.K., Harvey, P.R., Merrett, P. & Russell-Smith, A.R. (in prep.). References

Adult Season

Adult Season Data (based on 58 records with adult season information)

Habitats

background methodology

Broad Habitat Data (based on 35 records with habitat information)

Broad subhabitat Data (based on 1 records with subhabitat information)

Structural Habitat Data (based on 33 records with structural habitat information)

Habitat Detail and Method (based on 43 records with habitat detail and method information)

Structural habitat by month

Recorded management for locations with Drassyllus praeficus

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Drassyllus praeficus

Images

sorry, no pictures available for this species yet - if you have an image please log on and upload it