Summary for Xysticus cristatus (Araneae)

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National Distribution

 
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Xysticus cristatus with Cinnabar prey Copyright: Peter Harvey
Identification difficulty rating: 3
Name: Xysticus cristatus
Authority: (Clerck, 1757)
Order: Arachnida: Araneae
Family: Thomisidae
IUCN status: LC

Records: 15961
First Record: 1820
Latest Record: 2023

1992-on hectads: 1433
Pre-1992 hectads: 1006
Total hectads: 1782

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About this species

Recorded altitude range
0m to 900m

Species text

Distribution
The species is widespread throughout most of Britain. It is widespread in western and central Europe.

Habitat and ecology
X. cristatus occurs in almost every habitat type, but is shade intolerant and rare in woodlands and closed canopy habitats. Large numbers can be found in grasslands and habitats which have undergone some degree of disturbance such as quarries and agricultural fields. In grasslands, this spider exploits a flexible hunting position either at the tips of vegetation or on the ground surface. As a consequence, the diet is extremely varied and comprises flying insects, including bees and butterflies, when positioned in flower-heads, or ants, spiders and other soft bodied prey when ambushing prey on the ground (Nyffeler & Breene 1990). Immatures have been found ballooning, particularly between the months of July to September (Freeman 1946). Adults have been recorded from February to December, with a male activity peak in May and June (Merrett 1967; Bell 1999).

Status
(Clerck, 1757) Status: Common.

Original author of profile: J.R. Bell

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

Adult Season Data (based on 6446 records with adult season information)


Habitats

background methodology

Broad Habitat Data (based on 6352 records with habitat information)

Broad subhabitat Data (based on 609 records with subhabitat information)

Structural Habitat Data (based on 4205 records with structural habitat information)

Habitat Detail and Method (based on 4784 records with habitat detail and method information)

Recorded management for locations with Xysticus cristatus

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Xysticus cristatus

Images

Xysticus cristatus underside 2023-08-20
Xysticus cristatus underside 2023-08-20
Xysticus cristatus back 2023-08-20
Xysticus cristatus back 2023-08-20
Xysticus cristatus front 2023-08-20
Xysticus cristatus front 2023-08-20
Xysticus cristatus male 2
Xysticus cristatus male 2
Xysticus cristatus male 1
Xysticus cristatus male 1
Xysticus cristatus female 2
Xysticus cristatus female 2
Xysticus cristatus female 1
Xysticus cristatus female 1
Xysticus cristatus mating pair
Xysticus cristatus mating pair
Xysticus cristatus with Cinnabar prey
Xysticus cristatus with Cinnabar prey
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