Summary details for Haplodrassus silvestris (Blackwall, 1833)

Species Details

Species name: Haplodrassus silvestris (Blackwall, 1833)
Synonyms: Haplodrassus criminalis, Drassodes silvestris (Blackwall, 1833)
Taxonomy: Animalia :: Araneae :: Gnaphosidae
habitat: tall sward & scrub

Distribution

The species has been recorded from the south coast of England to Perthshire, but is widely scattered except in the south-east. The species is widespread in northern and central Europe.

Habitat and ecology

The spider is found in woodland, amongst litter, under bark, stones, etc. In Essex it appears to be confined to woodlands on sandy soils, occurring in chestnut coppice or other broad-leaved woodland, or nearby heathland and grassland areas. Adults occur in spring, summer and autumn, perhaps mainly during early to mid-summer.

Status

Local and apparently never numerous, the species appears to have undergone a long term decline.

Threats

The loss of broad-leaved woodland and clearance of dead wood. The loss of open areas in woodland through neglect and the cessation of coppicing. The intensive coniferisation of broad-leaved woods may destroy suitable habitat.

Management and conservation

Maintain broad-leaved and coppice woodland. Retain any dead wood and ground cover. Text based on Dawson, I.K., Harvey, P.R., Merrett, P. & Russell-Smith, A.R. (in prep.).

Stats

First recorded: 1833
Last recorded: 2025
Total records: 183
Total visits: 174

Conservation status

Haplodrassus silvestris

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 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	Decline accepted, with loss of open areas in woodland through neglect and the cessation of coppicing a likely cause. Threats: The loss of broad-leaved woodland and clearance of dead wood. The loss of open areas in woodland through neglect and the cessation of coppicing. The intensive coniferisation of broad-leaved woods may destroy suitable habitat.

Photos and media

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Spatial distribution - hectad map

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Thresholds:

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Temporal distribution - records by year

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