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National Distribution

About this species

Recorded altitude range
380m to 800m

Species text

Distribution
Apart from records from Kirkcudbrightshire, Perth, Angus, Inverness-shire, Argyll, Ross-shire and Sutherland, the species is confined to a small area of North-west and Mid-west Yorkshire, Durham, Northumberland, Cumberland and Westmorland. It is a boreal species in Europe.

Habitat and ecology
H. nubigena occurs in wet areas, usually in association with Sphagnum or Juncus, on moorland, mostly at altitudes between about 400 and 700 m. Adults are found in August and September, and probably over winter.

Status
The spider has been recorded from five sites since 1992 in the northern Pennines and Scotland, and is fairly numerous in some places, but it is rather local. Its area of occupancy has declined from 15 hectads before 1992 to five since that date. Trend analysis of the continuing decline in area of occupancy over the period 1976 to 2005 indicates a reduction in population size of 62% over a ten year period. An apparent major decline in the Pennines since 1980 may be due in part to under-recording.

Threats
Probably the only threat at some sites might be afforestation.

Management and conservation
Ensure wetlands are not drained for intensive forestry.

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 Hilaira nubigena

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Hilaira nubigena

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