Summary for Leptorhoptrum robustum (Araneae)

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National Distribution

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Identification difficulty rating: 3

Name: Leptorhoptrum robustum

Authority: (Westring, 1851)

Order: Arachnida: Araneae

Family: Linyphiidae

IUCN status: LC

Records: 1406

First Record: 1893

Latest Record: 2023

1992-on hectads: 278

Pre-1992 hectads: 245

Total hectads: 468

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About this species

Recorded altitude range
0m to 1214m

Species text

Distribution
The species is widespread in much of Britain, but absent or very scattered in some areas. It is widespread in north-western and central Europe.

Habitat and ecology
Duffey & Green (1975) have noted that in the south of England this species is found in fens and marshes, particularly in the litter layer of thick herbaceous vegetation, and in wet meadows and fen woodland. However in the north it occurs widely on mountains and moorland, in upland valleys usually under stones and has also been taken in pine forests with heather, and on saltmarsh and in dune slacks. It can occur in exceedingly high numbers in the filter beds of sewage treatment plants where it is the commonest spider in this habitat. Duffey & Green (1975) also showed, surprisingly, that in spite of its small size this spider was responsible for inflicting bites on the workers at sewage treatment plants resulting in inflammation and swelling of the affected area. Adults have been found throughout the year, but mostly in summer and autumn.

Status
Local.

Original author of profile: D.R. Nellist

Text based on Harvey, P.R., Nellist, D.R. & Telfer, M.G. (eds) 2002. Provisional atlas of British spiders (Arachnida, Araneae), Volumes 1 & 2. Huntingdon: Biological Records Centre. References