Summary details for Entelecara omissa O.P.-Cambridge, 1902

Distribution

Most records of this species are from the fens of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. It has also been recorded from isolated sites in Dorset, Sussex, Hampshire, Kent, Staffordshire and Yorkshire. In Europe it has been recorded from Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Poland.

Habitat and ecology

Fens and marshes. Found among Carex tussocks and litter, cut sedge, etc., at ground level in fens and marshes. It has also been recorded in sedge along the margins of drainage dykes on grazing marshes at Carlton, Suffolk. In Staffordshire, it has been taken in reed-beds and a floating bog. Adults occur in May and June, and again in autumn.

Status

Recorded from twelve hectads since 1992. May be abundant at some fenland sites.

Threats

The principle threat is drainage of fens and marshes and the encroachment of scrub vegetation on herbaceous fen communities. Many of the known sites for this species are in National and Local Nature Reserves or SSSIs.

Management and conservation

Maintaining an adequate water table in fens or marshes is important, as is prevention of encroachment of scrub and carr woodland on open herbaceous fen communities. Text based on Dawson, I.K., Harvey, P.R., Merrett, P. & Russell-Smith, A.R. (in prep.).