previous species | next species

National Distribution

About this species

Recorded altitude range
2m to 579m

Species text

Distribution
The species has a widespread but rather scattered Distribution: in much of southern Britain, with a few scattered records north to Inverness-shire. It is a Palaearctic species widespread in western and central Europe.

Habitat and ecology
X. audax is found on gorse and heather in heathland and sometimes grassland, usually at higher levels in the vegetation than X. cristatus. Adults of both sexes are found mainly in late spring and early summer, females persisting later.

Status
The spider is frequent in suitable habitat in southern England, but very local elsewhere. It has been considered by some authors to be a form of X. cristatus, but there is now agreement that it is a separate species. However careful consideration of colour, carapace markings and genitalia is needed to distinguish the two species.

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

Adult Season

Habitats

background methodology

Recorded management for locations with Xysticus audax

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Xysticus audax

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