Summary details for Lace Weaver Spider (Amaurobius similis)

Distribution

The species is widespread in most of England and Wales, becoming more scattered in Scotland. It is a Holarctic species that is widely distributed in north-western Europe.

Habitat and ecology

The spider probably occurs in almost every house and outhouse in the country. It makes its characteristic web of cribellate silk in cracks in the brickwork, under the eaves, under undisturbed rubble or debris and between cracks in wooden sheds and fences, etc. (Roberts 1995). Channels carrying cords for sash windows are a favoured retreat inside houses (J. Newton, pers. comm.). It is also occasionally found under bark in more natural habitats like woods especially where these are near habitation. It is possible that it replaces A. fenestralis in these situations. Adults occur throughout the year but both sexes peak in the autumn, and females are recorded again in numbers during the spring and early summer.

Status

Common, possibly less so in the north. Authors of profile: Peter Harvey & Geoff Oxford

Reference

Roberts, M.J. 1995. Spiders of Britain & Northern Europe. London: HarperCollins.