Summary for Nesticus cellulanus (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 Nesticus cellulanus

Nesticus cellulanus female with egg sac in wet drain Copyright: Evan Jones

Identification difficulty rating: 3

Name: Nesticus cellulanus

Authority: (Clerck, 1757)

Order: Arachnida: Araneae

Family: Nesticidae

IUCN status: LC

Records: 829

First Record: 1800

Latest Record: 2024

1992-on hectads: 232

Pre-1992 hectads: 133

Total hectads: 329

Explore Regional Distribution

Please log on and add a note on this species

Missing records?

About this species

Recorded altitude range
3m to 500m

Species text

Distribution
This species is widespread throughout much of Britain. It is widespread in western Europe. Globally the spider has a Holarctic Distribution: (Platnick 1998).

Habitat and ecology
N. cellulanus creates a small tangle-web in permanently dark, damp habitats. These habitats include mines, caves, cellars, culverts, sewers, hollow trees, amongst boulders and in thick marshland vegetation. This spider does not frequent dry subterranean habitats. Specimens can also be found beneath corrugated iron sheets (Crocker & Daws 1996). Mature specimens of both sexes have been recorded between March and November, and females throughout the year. Single, spherical, translucent-yellowish egg-sacs are carried by the female, attached to her spinnerets, between June and August (Bristowe 1958).

Status
Local, but probably under-recorded due to its specialist habitat.

Original author of profile: R.C. Gallon

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