Summary for Mermessus trilobatus (Araneae)

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National Distribution

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Identification difficulty rating: 5

Name: Mermessus trilobatus

Authority: (Emerton, 1882)

Order: Arachnida: Araneae

Family: Linyphiidae

IUCN status: NA

Records: 327

First Record: 2007

Latest Record: 2024

1992-on hectads: 111

Pre-1992 hectads: 0

Total hectads: 111

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About this species

Recorded altitude range
1m to 200m

Species text

Distribution
Mermessus trilobatus is a North American species introduced in the 1970s to Germany and it has spread widely in Europe since then. The first British record was from Tilbury Power Station, Essex in 2007. In the decade since then it spread widely in the Thames corridor and as far north as the Brecklands of Norfolk and Suffolk. It is currently frequent in southern England south of a line between the Severn Estuary and the Wash. It has been reported from western Europe as far East as Germany.

Habitat and ecology
It occurs on or close to the ground layer in a wide variety of habitats including grassland, woodland, gardens, brownfield sites and sand dunes. Adults of both sexes have been found throughout the year with a peak of abundance in June and July.

Status
This apparently invasive species has no assigned status but, given its widespread distribution and range of habitats, there do not appear to be any current threats.

References