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National Distribution

About this species

Recorded altitude range
0m to 275m

Species text

Distribution
The species is widespread but locally distributed in Britain, mainly south of a line between Carmarthenshire and Yorkshire. It is widespread in western and central Europe, but has not been recorded from Ireland.

Habitat and ecology
Both forms may be found in woodlands and wet heathland. Araneus marmoreus is a large orb web spider that spins its web on the lower branches of trees, shrubs and in tall herbaceous vegetation but usually at heights above 1.5 m (Jones 1983). At Wicken Fen the form pyramidatus is common quite low down in webs spun in rank path-side grass (I. Dawson, pers. comm.). Both sexes are adult from late summer through to the autumn.

Status
An uncommon species with two distinct colour varieties. A. marmoreus var. marmoreus is found mainly in an area of eastern England from Norfolk to Yorkshire, where it can be relatively common on the lowland heaths (Smith 1982).

Original author of profile: P. Lee  References

Adult Season

Habitats

background methodology

Recorded management for locations with Araneus marmoreus var. pyramidatus

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Araneus marmoreus var. pyramidatus

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