Summary for Agyneta mollis (Araneae)

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National Distribution

 
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Agyneta mollis male Copyright: Tylan Berry
Identification difficulty rating: 4
Name: Agyneta mollis
Authority: (O.P.-Cambridge, 1871)
Order: Arachnida: Araneae
Family: Linyphiidae
BAP status: UKBAP
National Rarity status: NR
IUCN status: NT, criteria: B2b

Records: 613
First Record: 1922
Latest Record: 2024

1992-on hectads: 98
Pre-1992 hectads: 54
Total hectads: 138

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About this species

Recorded altitude range
4m to 240m

Species text

Distribution
The species is widespread in southern central and eastern England and very scattered as far north as Yorkshire, but there are no modern records west of Somerset and few records in Wales. It is widespread in north-western and central Europe, but has not been recorded from Denmark or Norway.

Habitat and ecology
Duffey (1956) found M. mollis to be quite locally abundant in limestone grassland in Oxfordshire. The peak density of the spider was found to be in November, although adults could be found between September and April. Based on a small number of observations, Duffey (1956) found that a spring dispersal phase was most likely. In central Europe, the spider seems to be commonest in most types of, particularly damp, grassland and wet woodland (Hänggi et al. 1995). The picture may be slightly different in Britain, with most records from grassland but some from woodland. Our data show records of adults throughout the year, but with a peak in autumn/early winter.

Status
UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species. It was added to the UKBAP in the 2007 review because of evidence suggesting a substantial decline. The species is very local and scarce, but may be numerous at some sites. There has been a significant decline in area of occupancy since 1992.

Threats
Threats are likely to include the loss and improvement of old grasslands.

Management and conservation
Low level grazing of grasslands is probably necessary at many sites to maintain structural diversity and prevent seral succession.

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 498 records with adult season information)


Habitats

background methodology

Broad Habitat Data (based on 80 records with habitat information)

Broad subhabitat Data (based on 11 records with subhabitat information)

Structural Habitat Data (based on 92 records with structural habitat information)

Habitat Detail and Method (based on 310 records with habitat detail and method information)

Recorded management for locations with Agyneta mollis

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Agyneta mollis

Images

Agyneta mollis female
Agyneta mollis female
Agyneta mollis male
Agyneta mollis male
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