previous species | next species

National Distribution

About this species

Recorded altitude range
0m to 700m

Species text

Distribution
The species is restricted to southern England except for a single female taken in 1976 on Ailsa Craig at the southernmost point of the Clyde Estuary, Scotland (Hogg 1995). It is widespread in northern and central Europe, but in Scandinavia only recorded from Sweden.

Habitat and ecology
T. saxicola occurs mainly on fairly tall calcareous grassland, especially near the coast, in grassy areas on heathland and shingle, and on heathland in Cornwall (Lizard Peninsula) and the New Forest. Females have been found from April to July with a peak of both sexes in June.

Status
The spider is fairly widespread on calcareous grassland in the south, but rather local and never particularly common. There has been a significant decline in occupied 10-km squares.

Threats
The loss of calcareous grassland to agriculture.

Management and conservation
This species appears to favour relatively lightly-grazed grassland, but it would be necessary to control growth of scrub.

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 Trichoncus saxicola

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Trichoncus saxicola

Images

please log on and upload a new image for this species

See also A-Z Species Index - A-Z Picture Index - previous species | next species