Summary for Opilio canestrinii (Opiliones)

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National Distribution

 
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Opilio canestrinii Male Copyright: Paul Richards
Identification difficulty rating: 4
Name: Opilio canestrinii
Authority: (Thorell, 1876)
Order: Arachnida: Opiliones
Family: Phalangiidae

Records: 4621
First Record: 1999
Latest Record: 2024

1992-on hectads: 519
Pre-1992 hectads: 0
Total hectads: 522

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About this species

Recorded altitude range
1m to 261m

Species text

Distribution
So far this recently introduced species has spread rapidly and by 2017 had been recorded in 48 hectads. The first British record, in 1999, was from the Lea Valley (Thames tributary) (Hillyard 2000), since when it has spread rapidly across England and South Wales. In 2011 it was found at Brodie, in Moray (Scotland) (Davidson 2012) and has since spread eastwards. Presumably its range increase is largely a result of human activity within Britain, with possible additional inoculations from European sources.

The first European records of this species were from Italy (pre-1962) and it has since spread rapidly across western Europe. It is resumed to be a recent introduction to Europe but its origin is unknown.

Habitat and ecology Opilio canestrinii is found in the typical urban habitats and brown-field sites favoured by a number of recently introduced, long-legged species of harvestman. It is frequently found on buildings and walls, in gardens and parks and extending into semi-natural woodland. Its prevalence on buildings and in gardens means it is a very readily seen and recorded species.

Adults of both sexes have been recorded from July to November with some females persisting through December. There is some evidence of females overwintering and surviving until March in Britain. Wijnhoven (2009) notes adults persisting until February in mild winters in the Netherlands. Peak female activity is in September, presumably when they are egg laying.

So far, we know very little about the ecology of this species. Wijnhoven (2009) suggests that in the Netherlands O. canestrinii has been responsible for the rapid decline (if not extinction) of O. parietinus. There are now several recently introduced, large harvestmen occupying urban habitats. Their interactions and effects on other species would be worthy of study.

There appears to be little documented information on the feeding habits of O. canestrinii.

Status Recent introduction, spreading rapidly.

Text based on: Wijnhoven, H. 2009. De Nederlandse hooiwagens (Opiliones) Naturalis Biodiversity Centre - Entomologische Tabellen, The Netherlands. (translation available here: http://srs.britishspiders.org.uk/portal/p/Harvestman+Resources)

References

Davidson, M. 2012. Alien harvestmen in Scotland. SRS News 72: 31 In: Newsletter of the British Arachnological Society 123.

Hillyard, P. 2000. Opilio canestrinii (Thorell, 1876) - new species record for Britain – Ocularium 3: 1-2

 References

 Account last edited by Meg Skinner at 19:50 on Thu 22nd Sep 2022.

Adult Season

Adult Season Data (based on 837 records with adult season information)


Habitats

background methodology

Broad Habitat Data (based on 163 records with habitat information)

Broad subhabitat Data (based on 21 records with subhabitat information)

Structural Habitat Data (based on 129 records with structural habitat information)

Habitat Detail and Method (based on 189 records with habitat detail and method information)

Recorded management for locations with Opilio canestrinii

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Opilio canestrinii

Images

Opilio Canestrinii West Mids Aug 2021
Opilio Canestrinii West Mids Aug 2021
Opilio canestrinii East Kent 10-2018a
Opilio canestrinii East Kent 10-2018a
Opilio canestrinii East Kent 10-2018
Opilio canestrinii East Kent 10-2018
Opilio canestrinii - 08 OCT 2017 - Kings Heath
Opilio canestrinii - 08 OCT 2017 - Kings Heath
Opilio Canestrinii on 1st Sept 2017 front.
Opilio Canestrinii on 1st Sept 2017 front.
PH001
PH001
Opilio canestrinii female July 25 2015
Opilio canestrinii female July 25 2015
Opilio canestrinii (top close-up) Suffolk 10 Dec 2013
Opilio canestrinii (top close-up) Suffolk 10 Dec 2013
Opilio canestrinii (top) Suffolk 10 Dec 2013
Opilio canestrinii (top) Suffolk 10 Dec 2013
Opilio canestrinii (side close-up) Suffolk 10 Dec 2013
Opilio canestrinii (side close-up) Suffolk 10 Dec 2013
Opilio canestrinii (side) Suffolk 10 Dec 2013
Opilio canestrinii (side) Suffolk 10 Dec 2013
Opilio canestrinii Horsey Norfolk 15 Nov 2013
Opilio canestrinii Horsey Norfolk 15 Nov 2013
Opilio canestrinii in my mum's garden
Opilio canestrinii in my mum's garden
Harvestman
Harvestman
Opilio canestrinii photo 4
Opilio canestrinii photo 4
Opilio canestrinii photo 3
Opilio canestrinii photo 3
Opilio canestrinii photo 2
Opilio canestrinii photo 2
Opilio canestrinii photo 1
Opilio canestrinii photo 1
Opilio canestrinii female closeup 2
Opilio canestrinii female closeup 2
Female on wall 1
Female on wall 1
Opilio canestrinii
Opilio canestrinii
Opilio canestrinii female closeup
Opilio canestrinii female closeup
Opilio canestrinii Female
Opilio canestrinii Female
Opilio canestrinii Male
Opilio canestrinii Male
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