Summary for Ero aphana (Araneae)

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National Distribution

 
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Ero aphana Copyright: Peter Harvey
Identification difficulty rating: 3
Name: Ero aphana
Authority: (Walckenaer, 1802)
Order: Arachnida: Araneae
Family: Mimetidae
National Rarity status: NS
IUCN status: LC

Records: 394
First Record: 1968
Latest Record: 2024

1992-on hectads: 134
Pre-1992 hectads: 4
Total hectads: 139

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About this species

Recorded altitude range
0m to 125m

Species text

Distribution
Since 1974 the species had been recorded from a number of sites in Dorset, at Arne, Horton Common, Keysworth Farm near Wareham, Parley Common, Ramsdown Common, Stephens Castle and Town Common. It has also been found at Cranes Moor in the New Forest and probably at two other sites in Hampshire, as well as at Chobham Common, Surrey (Askins & Jones 1998). Since 2000 it has started to appear widely in southern England, and as far north as Nottinghamshire. It is widespread in southern and central Europe.

Habitat and ecology
Dry lowland heathland, and other vegetated habitat such as gardens. E. aphana has been typically found on dry heathland in the building and mature phases, with some patches of bare stony ground and Ulex europaeus and Pinus sylvestris present. Recent records have been from a variety of dry habitats, including gardens and brownfield sites. Both sexes may be found as adults in early summer, although females may last longer, unlike E. tuberculata, which is a late summer and autumn species.

Status
The spider was fairly frequent at most of its known sites, and now appears to be increasing rapidly, spreading to new habitats.

Threats
Fire and loss of heathland to building development, agriculture and invasion by pines (Pinus sylvestris and P. pinaster) and other trees.

Management and conservation
Clearance of rhododendron and other invading vegetation on heathland, together with grazing, mowing or burning in such a way as to allow Calluna to reach the mature phase. Additional control of scrub and pine invasion by hand-pulling may also help. However, the spread of this species to new habitats including gardens and brownfield sites means it is unlikely to warrant specific management measures.

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 284 records with adult season information)


Habitats

background methodology

Broad Habitat Data (based on 145 records with habitat information)

Broad subhabitat Data (based on 42 records with subhabitat information)

Structural Habitat Data (based on 157 records with structural habitat information)

Habitat Detail and Method (based on 198 records with habitat detail and method information)

Recorded management for locations with Ero aphana

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Ero aphana

Images

Ero aphana mlrd
Ero aphana mlrd
Ero aphana in Zygiella web 1
Ero aphana in Zygiella web 1
Ero aphana at rest
Ero aphana at rest
Ero aphana female with egg sac
Ero aphana female with egg sac
Ero aphana male Gloucs 1
Ero aphana male Gloucs 1
Ero aphana female Gloucs 3
Ero aphana female Gloucs 3
Ero aphana female Gloucs 2
Ero aphana female Gloucs 2
Ero aphana female Gloucs 1
Ero aphana female Gloucs 1
E.aphana egg sac produced 29 05 16
E.aphana egg sac produced 29 05 16
E.aphana sharing T.blackwalli prey 1
E.aphana sharing T.blackwalli prey 1
E.aphana with P.tincta prey 3
E.aphana with P.tincta prey 3
Female E.aphana eating a male E.aphana 2
Female E.aphana eating a male E.aphana 2
Female E.aphana eating a male E.aphana 1
Female E.aphana eating a male E.aphana 1
Male Ero aphana adult moult 2
Male Ero aphana adult moult 2
Male Ero aphana adult moult
Male Ero aphana adult moult
Ero aphana with P.tincta prey 2
Ero aphana with P.tincta prey 2
Ero aphana with P.tincta prey 1
Ero aphana with P.tincta prey 1
02 04 16 immature male Ero aphana
02 04 16 immature male Ero aphana
02 04 16 immature male Ero aphanas
02 04 16 immature male Ero aphanas
Sub adult male
Sub adult male
Ero aphana egg sac with newly hatched spiderlings 2
Ero aphana egg sac with newly hatched spiderlings 2
Ero aphana egg sac with newly hatched spiderlings.
Ero aphana egg sac with newly hatched spiderlings.
Ero aphana on fence
Ero aphana on fence
Ero aphana in garage
Ero aphana in garage
Ero aphana with Theridion sp. prey
Ero aphana with Theridion sp. prey
Egg sac Ero aphana
Egg sac Ero aphana
Ero aphana egg sac.
Ero aphana egg sac.
Ero aphana showing metatarsal spines.
Ero aphana showing metatarsal spines.
Ero aphana - Southend on Sea
Ero aphana - Southend on Sea
Ero aphana in Thame
Ero aphana in Thame
ero aphana 21sth March rear
ero aphana 21sth March rear
ero aphana 21st march2012 web
ero aphana 21st march2012 web
ero aphana 21st March side
ero aphana 21st March side
ero aphana  21st March 2012 top
ero aphana 21st March 2012 top
Ero aphana
Ero aphana
Ero aphana female
Ero aphana female
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