Summary details for Clubiona caerulescens L. Koch, 1867

Species Details

Species name: Clubiona caerulescens L. Koch, 1867
Synonyms: Clubiona coerulescens L. Koch, 1867, Clubiona voluta
Taxonomy: Animalia :: Araneae :: Clubionidae
habitat: shaded woodland floor

Distribution

The few records are widely scattered, but with very few recent captures. The species is widespread in north-western and central Europe, but it has not been recorded from Ireland.

Habitat and ecology

Woodland and scrub. The spider occurs on low plants among scrub and overgrown woodland, and on young oaks. A male appeared in a Robinson light trap set for moths in scrub in West Lancashire in May. Adults of both sexes are found in September and May. It possibly over-winters as an adult.

Status

Recorded from only five hectads since 1992, showing a decline of more than 50% in hectads with spider records both before and after that date (11 to 5). Although clearly very local, its wide distribution suggests that it may have been overlooked in some places, perhaps because it matures late in the season or perhaps it occupies a slightly unusual habitat.

Threats

The clearance of scrub and old woodland for intensive forestry, and the removal of shrub layer vegetation.

Management and conservation

Maintain low plants and shrub layer in old woodland. Text based on Dawson, I.K., Harvey, P.R., Merrett, P. & Russell-Smith, A.R. (in prep.).

Stats

First recorded: 1898
Last recorded: 2015
Total records: 31
Total visits: 31

Conservation status

Clubiona caerulescens

Source	Reporting category	Designation	Date designated	Comments
A Review of the scarce and threatened spiders (Araneae) of Great Britain: Species Status No. 22 (Sep 2017)	Rare and scarce species	Nationally Rare. Includes Red Listed taxa	01/09/2017
A Review of the scarce and threatened spiders (Araneae) of Great Britain: Species Status No. 22 (Sep 2017)	Red listing based on 2001 IUCN guidelines	Vulnerable	01/09/2017	This rare but widespread species, often associated with the field layer under scrub and woodland, has been found at only five locations since 1993 and shown a substantial decline in AOO. However, the fact that these are all sites where it had not previously been recorded, together with a late maturation time and often relatively inaccessible habitat, give a possibility of under-recording, hence downgraded to VU from EN. The main threat appears to be from changes in management practices or increase in browsing, leading to the loss of field layer vegetation. Threats: The clearance of scrub and old woodland for intensive forestry, and the removal of shrub layer vegetation.

Photos and media

No photos or media files available

Spatial distribution - hectad map

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Thresholds:

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Rejected records are excluded from this map. Unverified records are included.

Temporal distribution - records by year

Records that span more than one year are not included in this chart.