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National Distribution

About this species

Recorded altitude range
390m to 472m

Species text

Distribution
Extremely local, with records from Hampshire, Derbyshire, Cumberland, Radnorshire, Caernarvonshire, Kirkcudbrightshire, Perthshire, Tiree and in 2008 from Montgomeryshire. In Europe it has been recorded from Ireland, France and Scandinavia.

Habitat and ecology
Very wet acid bogs. E. welchi usually occurs on very wet Sphagnum, with small webs spun just above the water level, but also among wet moss and grass, and among Carex tussocks. Its altitude range is from near sea level to about 500 m. Adults are probably found throughout most of the year.

Status
UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species. Recorded from just two sites since 1992, showing an apparent decline of over 80% in Area of Occupancy from before that date (from 11 hectads to two). The spider has been found abundantly at some sites. Despite the spider’s specialised habitat, there appears to have been a major decline. The spider has been found abundantly at some sites. Despite the spider's specialised habitat, there appears to have been a major decline.

Threats
All of its known sites are in remote boggy areas. The threat of drainage or afforestation is probably less now than in the past.

Management and conservation
Maintain wet conditions of the bogs where it occurs.

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 Erigone welchi

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Erigone welchi

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