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National Distribution

About this species

Recorded altitude range
100m to 100m

Species text

Distribution
In Britain D. erythropus has only been found in southern England. There are old records from near Tonbridge in West Kent and the Lizard in Cornwall, and several specimens were found in 1971 at Thursley Common, Surrey. More recently recorded at Farnham Heath, Surrey and Portland, Dorset. It is patchily distributed in northern and central Europe, but is probably rare throughout this range.

Habitat and ecology
D. erythropus has been recorded from gorse on heathlands, and beaten from ancient oaks on old heathland. Adults have been found in June: the species may have a short period of maturity, contributing to its apparent rarity.

Status
Population restricted to a very small number of sites, and very few since 1992. Only small numbers of spiders ever found in Britain. The change in the number of hectads with records before 1992 and after that date suggests a decline in area of occupancy, but with such small numbers the degree of uncertainty is high.

Threats
The reclamation of heathland for agriculture and also accidental fires.

Management and conservation
Research into the exact habitat requirements of this species is required in order to define a management strategy.

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 Dipoena erythropus

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Dipoena erythropus

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