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National Distribution

About this species

Recorded altitude range
20m to 700m

Species text

Distribution
The species is widely scattered in England, Wales and Scotland, but fairly widespread in southern central England. It is a Palaearctic species widespread in western and central Europe, but has not been recorded from Ireland.

Habitat and ecology
X. bifasciatus is a large and robust spider and of the twelve British species in the genus it is equalled in size only by X. luctator and X. robustus or abnormally large females of Xysticus cristatus or X. kochi. It is found in low vegetation, under stones on chalk grassland and sometimes on warm grassy heaths. Adults of both sexes are found in spring and early summer, females occasionally persisting into the autumn.

Status
Scarce, but may be frequent at some sites, particularly in southern England. This species has apparently shown a long-term decline.

Threats
The decline has probably been a result of loss of calcareous grassland to arable and succession to scrub and woodland.

Management and conservation
Maintain open ground and early successional stages on chalk grassland.

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

Adult Season

Habitats

background methodology

Recorded management for locations with Xysticus bifasciatus

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Xysticus bifasciatus

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