Summary details for Euophrys herbigrada (Simon, 1871)

Species Details

Species name: Euophrys herbigrada (Simon, 1871)
Synonym: Euophrys molesta O.P.-Cambridge, 1912
Taxonomy: Animalia :: Araneae :: Salticidae
habitat: tall sward & scrub

Distribution

The spider has been recorded from a scattering of sites along the south coasts of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. Its distribution suggests that it is sensitive to frost, and it seems unlikely that it would be found east of the Isle of Wight, or further north in England. A single female recorded at Freshfield, Lancashire was a misidentification, while specimens recorded from Sussex, Middlesex and Suffolk were found on re-examination to be E. frontalis. In Europe the centre of distribution is around the western Mediterranean but extends up the French coast as far as Brittany and the Channel Islands.

Habitat and ecology

Short coastal grassland. E. herbigrada has been collected on dry, sunny slopes or cliff-tops within a few hundred metres of the sea, from among grass and heather and also under stones. Adults have been recorded between April and June.

Status

Showing an apparent decline of over 50% in area of occupancy since 1992, with records from only four locations since 1992. It may be under-recorded in the south west of England, but has been confused on a number of occasions with the common E. frontalis.

Threats

Public pressure may erode these cliff top habitats, which have already been reduced to narrow strips by encroaching agriculture.

Management and conservation

The reduction of public pressure on maritime heaths and grasslands would help to safeguard this species. Global warming might be expected to benefit this species in the UK. Text based on Dawson, I.K., Harvey, P.R., Merrett, P. & Russell-Smith, A.R. (in prep.).

Stats

First recorded: 1900
Last recorded: 2023
Total records: 119
Total visits: 112

Conservation status

Euophrys herbigrada

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	Recorded from a scattering of sites along the south coasts of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. It shows an apparent substantial decline in AOO since 1993, with records from only four locations. However, since it may be under-recorded in the south west of England, it is considered VU rather than EN. Threats: Public pressure may erode these cliff top habitats, which have already been reduced to narrow strips by encroaching agriculture.

Photos and media

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.