Summary details for Gnaphosa leporina (L. Koch, 1866)

Species Details

Species name
Gnaphosa leporina (L. Koch, 1866)
Synonyms
Gnaphosa anglicus, Gnaphosa lucifugus
Taxonomy
Animalia :: Araneae :: Gnaphosidae

Distribution

The species is widespread in parts of south-central England, northern England and Scotland but is absent from many areas. It is widespread in north-western Europe, but the species has not been recorded from Ireland.

Habitat and ecology

Although most Gnaphosa species are to be found under stones and are usually lethargic and easy to collect, G. leporina seems altogether more active and is often to be found running over the ground. It seems to prefer damp rather than wet areas on heaths or moors i.e. wet heath rather than bog.

Status

This spider is possbly not easy to collect without pitfall traps. It may be abundant on wet heath in southern England.

Threats

Heathland sites may be threatened by agriculture, afforestation or development.

Management and conservation

Maintain open areas on heathland and damp areas on heathland and moorland. Text based on Dawson, I.K., Harvey, P.R., Merrett, P. & Russell-Smith, A.R. (in prep.).

Stats

First recorded
1875
Last recorded
2023
Total records
283
Total visits
279

Conservation status

Gnaphosa leporina
SourceReporting categoryDesignationDate designatedComments
A Review of the scarce and threatened spiders (Araneae) of Great Britain: Species Status No. 22 (Sep 2017)Rare and scarce speciesNationally Scarce. Includes Red Listed taxa01/09/2017
A Review of the scarce and threatened spiders (Araneae) of Great Britain: Species Status No. 22 (Sep 2017)Red listing based on 2001 IUCN guidelinesLeast concern01/09/2017Apparent decline on southern heathland likely to result, at least in part, from under-recording. Threats: Heathland sites may be threatened by agriculture, afforestation or development.

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:
Move mouse cursor over dot for info
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