Summary for Diaea dorsata (Araneae)

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National Distribution

 
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Diaea dorsata Copyright: Peter Harvey
Identification difficulty rating: 2
Name: Diaea dorsata
Authority: (Fabricius, 1777)
Order: Arachnida: Araneae
Family: Thomisidae
IUCN status: LC

Records: 1731
First Record: 1736
Latest Record: 2024

1992-on hectads: 386
Pre-1992 hectads: 109
Total hectads: 423

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About this species

Recorded altitude range
1m to 500m

Species text

Distribution
D. dorsata is widespread in the southern half of England, becoming scattered in the west and north as far as Yorkshire. It is widespread in western and central Europe, but commoner towards the south of the region (Roberts 1995). It has not been recorded from Ireland.

Habitat and ecology
This species is strongly associated with woodland, perhaps with a preference for evergreens and conifers, and is found on the leaves of bushes and trees such as oak, box, yew and conifers, and is therefore usually collected by beating. It can also be found in leaf litter, and occasionally in the field layer of undisturbed scrubby grassland (Crocker & Daws 1996), and on fence posts in 'ballooning' weather. Females can be found guarding the eggs, which are covered with a thick layer of silk in a partially bent leaf. The characteristic colouring allows adults and juveniles to be identified in the field. Adults of both sexes are found mainly in May and June, females persisting occasionally into the autumn.

Status
Local.

Original author of profile: W.J. Partridge

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 467 records with adult season information)


Habitats

background methodology

Broad Habitat Data (based on 627 records with habitat information)

Broad subhabitat Data (based on 85 records with subhabitat information)

Structural Habitat Data (based on 358 records with structural habitat information)

Habitat Detail and Method (based on 495 records with habitat detail and method information)

Recorded management for locations with Diaea dorsata

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Diaea dorsata

Images

Diaea dorsata on a hazel leaf 2023-04-28
Diaea dorsata on a hazel leaf 2023-04-28
Male Diaea dorsata
Male Diaea dorsata
Diaea dorsata Swinley Park
Diaea dorsata Swinley Park
Diaea dorsata female in tray 3
Diaea dorsata female in tray 3
Diaea dorsata female in tray 2
Diaea dorsata female in tray 2
Diaea dorsata female in tray 1
Diaea dorsata female in tray 1
Diaea dorsata female on ivy 2
Diaea dorsata female on ivy 2
Diaea dorsata female on ivy.
Diaea dorsata female on ivy.
Typical pose of D. dorsata
Typical pose of D. dorsata
Diaea dorsata female - typical pose
Diaea dorsata female - typical pose
Diaea female 2
Diaea female 2
Diaea female
Diaea female
Diaea dorsata male
Diaea dorsata male
Diaea dorsata female body like a spangle gall on Oak
Diaea dorsata female body like a spangle gall on Oak
Diaea dorsata
Diaea dorsata
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