Wildlife Review 2024: Spiders, harvestman, pseudoscorpions and mites (arachnids)

Spiders (Araneae)

A notable year with twelve species added to the Recording Area audit (ten spiders, one harvestman and one mite). The additional new species increased the site tally to 401. For many species microscopic examination is the only means of identification, however specimen collection is not undertaken on site, so all records this year are based on field observations. Forty-seven species of spider were found this year, compared with forty-one in 2023.

One of the sheet web spiders, Neriene clathrata was recorded on 9th January, with the less common Neriene montana on 7th May. On 18th January, the first of the new species was a Bark Sac Spider Clubiona corticalis, found unsurprisingly under willow bark. More easily found the House Spider Eratigena saeva appeared from 20th January. 

Neriene clathrata 11th January - Alan Keatley

A species of money spider (Linyphiidae), the so-called Invisible Spider Drapetisca socialis was recorded on 22nd January, with another ‘liny’ Taranucnus setosus on 18th April was an addition to the site list.

Invisible Spider Drapetisca socialis 22nd January - Alan Keatley

The first jumping spider of the year was Europhrys frontalis on January 6th. The most frequent jumping spider, Common Zebra Spider Salticus scenicus was on the lookout for prey from the early date of 29th January. The Copper Sun-jumper Heliophanus cupreus was noted from 12th February with Fleecy Jumper Pseudeuophrys lanigera, associated with human habitation, found from 23rd February. 

Common Zebra Spider Salticus scenicus 29th January - Alan Keatley

Distinctively shaped, but not easy to find, Dune Jumper Marpissa nivoyi, a nationally scarce dune dweller was located amongst marram grass from 18th March. The next jumper, Sibianor aurocinctus on 4th May was an exceptional find, this nationally scarce spider is rarely recorded away the south east. The second new jumper for the site audit was Ballus chalybelus, another nationally scarce species, recorded on 6th July.

Dune Jumper Marpissa nivoyi 19th July - Kevin Rylands

The common and distinctive Nursery-web Spider Pisaura mirabilis was noted from 19th February. Long-jawed orb web spiders (Tetragnathathidae) were represented by Metellina merianae. The Bleeding-heart Spider Nigma puella, a meshweb spider was recorded on 26th February with another meshweb spider, Dictyna uncinata on 24th March. An elongated crab running spider Tibellus oblongus was noted from 26th February.

Bleeding-heart Spider Nigma puella - Alan Keatley

The Sand-bear Spider Arctosa perita, a wolf spider (Lycosidae), is relatively common on site in bare sand areas, although it is a master of camouflage, it can usually be found under driftwood. The first of the year was on 18th March. Other wolf spiders this year included another dune specialist, the Dune Wolf Xerolycosa miniata, found on 1st May, the first site record for over 25 years, with an Arctosa leopardus on 31st August. Other wolves recorded this year were Alopecosa cuneata and A. pulverulenta, both on 4th May.  

Dune Wolf Xerolycosa miniata 4th May - Alan Keatley

Ground spiders (Graphosidae), another terrestrial family, included Micaria pulicaria on 6th May, a new species Drassyllus pusillus on 3rd June and a further new species Zelotes electus, a nationally scarce coastal species, on 5th June.

Zelotes electus 5th June - Alan Keatley

Sheltering under bark, a woodlouse spider, Harpactea hombergi located on April 13th, was an unexpected addition to the Recording Area. The colour changing Flower Crab Spider Misumena vatia was waiting for prey from 20th April. 

Harpactea hombergi - Alan Keatley

Two of the most frequently recorded spiders on site are orbweb spiders with Missing Sector Orbweaver Zygiella x-notata noted from 6th January and Cucumber Green Orb Spider Araniella cucurbitina from 28th February. Zilla diodia was recorded on 20th April, with the Garden Orbweaver Araneus diadematus from 26th April. Other orbweb spiders recorded this year were Lariniodes cornutus on April 28th and Cricket Bat Spider Mangora acalypha and a Gorse Orb-weaver Agalenatea redii both from August 24th.

Gorse Orb-weaver Agalenatea redii August 24th - Alan Keatley

The most striking orb web is Wasp Spider Argiope bruennichi, a signature species of the nature reserve. A good year with more than twenty females attending their webs from 8th August, mostly in Greenland Lake. Marking egg sacs and leaving areas uncut has helped this spider to recover after several lean years. Not often seen, an intrepid male was observed chancing its luck to mate with the much larger female.

Wasp Spider Argiope bruennichi 17th August - Lee Collins

The familiar Daddy-long-legs Spider Pholcus phalangoides was noted indoors from 6th May, with two of three Comb-footed spiders (Theriidae) also in buildings, Noble False Widow Steatoda nobilis from 28th April and another false widow Steatoda bipunctata on 7th October. Around the scrub, Anelosimus vittatus on 15th May.

Anelosimus vittatus 15th May - Alan Keatley

Discovery of new species continued with a funnelweb spider Textrix denticulata on 19th June and a pirate spider Ero tuberculata on 24th June.

Textrix denticulata 19th June - Alan Keatley

Crab spiders (Thomisidae) included Xysticus cristatus on 6th May, Philodromus dispar from 24th June and Ozyptila sanctuaria on 28th September. Readily identified the unique egg sac of Sputnik Spider Paidiscura pallens were noted on 8th August. The sole tubeweb spider (Segestriidae), Green-fanged Tubeweb Segestria florentina was recorded on 17th October.

Xysticus cristatus 6th May - Alan Keatley

Harvestman (Opiliones)

A good year for harvestman, with eight species recorded including one addition to the site list, Opilio saxatilis on 22nd August. The first of the year was Spring Harvestman Platybunus triangularis on 5th April with Leiobunum blackwalli on 4th May. Leiobunum rotundum was added on June 24th with two added to the year list on 24th August, Dicranocephalus ramosus and Paroligolophus agrestis. Two further species, the common Phalangium opilio on 14th September and the introduced Opilio canestrinii on 11th October.

Opilio saxatilis 22nd August - Alan Keatley

No pseudoscorpions (Pseudoscorpiones) were found this year.

Acari: Gall mites (Erophydae) and spider mites (Tetranychidae)

Both families within the class Arachnida, gall mites are plant parasites, with many causing obvious galls on specific plants. They are often microscopic and identification, in most cases, rely on identifying the plant. Spider mites are also tiny plant feeders, but spin webs on underside of leaves. 

Eighteen species were identified this year including one new for the site audit. The first of the year were a sea purslane gall Aceria obiones and Gorse Spider Mite Tetranychus lintearius in January with a Cleavers mite Cecidophyes rouhollahi on 18th February.

Three gall mites were recorded on 27th April, on Sycamore, Aceria cephalonea and A. pseudoplatani and the elder leaf gall Epitrimerus tribobus, with Alder mite galls Eriophyes brevitarsus, E. laevis and Aceria nalepai on 17th May.

Aceria pseudoplatani agg. gall - Kevin Rylands

The long-legged spider mite Erythraeus phalangoides, a rarely seen species found in coastal locations, was a new species on 3rd June. Several species were found in the summer, Aculus rubiae on Wild Madder, Reed Ladder Mite Stentarsonemus phragmitidis, another Sycamore mite Aceria macrorhyncha, a birch midrib gall mite Eriophyes leiontus, a Water Mint Mite Aceria megacerus, a Blackthorn leaf gall mite Eriophyes similis and another sea purslane gall mite Aceria brevipes.

Erythraeus phalangoides 3rd June - Alan Keatley