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National Distribution

About this species

Recorded altitude range
10m to 213m

Species text

Distribution
The spider has been recorded from a scattering of sites along the south coasts of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. Its distribution suggests that it is sensitive to frost, and it seems unlikely that it would be found east of the Isle of Wight, or further north in England. A single female recorded at Freshfield, Lancashire was a misidentification, while specimens recorded from Sussex, Middlesex and Suffolk were found on re-examination to be E. frontalis. In Europe the centre of distribution is around the western Mediterranean but extends up the French coast as far as Brittany and the Channel Islands.

Habitat and ecology
Short coastal grassland. E. herbigrada has been collected on dry, sunny slopes or cliff-tops within a few hundred metres of the sea, from among grass and heather and also under stones. Adults have been recorded between April and June.

Status
Showing an apparent decline of over 50% in area of occupancy since 1992, with records from only four locations since 1992. It may be under-recorded in the south west of England, but has been confused on a number of occasions with the common E. frontalis.

Threats
Public pressure may erode these cliff top habitats, which have already been reduced to narrow strips by encroaching agriculture.

Management and conservation
The reduction of public pressure on maritime heaths and grasslands would help to safeguard this species. Global warming might be expected to benefit this species in the UK.

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 Euophrys herbigrada

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Euophrys herbigrada

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