Species Details
- Species name
- Dictyna pusilla Thorell, 1856
- Common name
- Small Mesh-weaver
- Taxonomy
- Animalia :: Araneae :: Dictynidae
- tall sward & scrub
Distribution
Most recent records are from Scotland where the species is fairly widespread in the central eastern area. A few widely scattered records from England and Wales. A Palaearctic species, widely distributed in Europe but not recorded from Ireland and more frequent in the north of the region.Habitat and ecology
D. pusilla is found on low, dry or dead vegetation where it spins an irregular retreat resembling that of Dictyna arundinacea. Frequent on heather, juniper and young pine in open areas of Abernethy Forest. It is mature in spring through to late summer.Status
UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species. Recorded from 13 hectads since 1992, but showing a decline of 48% in hectads with spider records both before and after that date (21 to 11). Generally very uncommon, but apparently increasingly confined to some areas of Scotland, where it may be locally abundant.Threats
There is insufficient knowledge of the habitat and other ecological requirements of this species to ascertain specific threats.Management and conservation
The restoration of native pine forest with open glades at Abernethy appears to suit this species. Text based on Dawson, I.K., Harvey, P.R., Merrett, P. & Russell-Smith, A.R. (in prep.).Stats
- First recorded
- 1909
- Last recorded
- 2024
- Total records
- 169
- Total visits
- 162
Conservation status
Dictyna pusilla
| Source | Reporting category | Designation | Date designated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scottish Biodiversity List (incorporating 2007 updates and 2012 categorisation) | Biodiversity Lists - Scotland | Scottish Biodiversity List | 01/06/2007 | Terrestrial/Freshwater Species. Added to UK BAP list in 2007. Criteria: Decline |
| A Review of the scarce and threatened spiders (Araneae) of Great Britain: Species Status No. 22 (Sep 2017) | Rare and scarce species | Nationally Scarce. 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 | Least concern | 01/09/2017 | Apparent major decline in England but not in Scotland. Threats: There is insufficient knowledge of the habitat and other ecological requirements of this species to ascertain specific threats. |
| Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 - Species of Principal Importance in England (section 41) | Biodiversity Lists - England | England NERC S.41 | 01/11/2008 | |
| UK list of Priority Habitats and Species | Biodiversity Action Plan UK list of priority species | Priority Species | 28/08/2007 | not on former UK BAP list |
Photos and media
Spatial distribution - hectad map
Click on one of the date ranges in the key to highlight that particular range. Click anywhere else on the map to go back to all three date ranges.
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.
Temporal distribution - records by week
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