Species page

Species Details

Species name: Hypsosinga albovittata (Westring, 1851)
Synonyms: Hypsosinga albovittatus (Blackwall), Hypsosinga calva, Singa albovittata (Westring, 1851)
Taxonomy: Animalia :: Araneae :: Araneidae

Distribution

The species is widespread but locally distributed in Britain, becoming more scattered further north. It is widespread in western and central Europe, but has not been recorded from Ireland.

Habitat and ecology

This distinctively marked spider spins its orb webs low down, less than 20 cm above ground level (Jones 1983), usually on heather in heathlands, but it has also been recorded in chalk grassland. Both sexes are mature in late spring and early summer.

Status

An uncommon species.

Threats

Loss of heathland and calacareous grassland to agriculture and urban development are likely to the most important threats to this species.

Management and conservation

Ensure remaining heathland areas are conserved and managed to maintain all stages in the successional cycle of heather growth. Text based on Dawson, I.K., Harvey, P.R., Merrett, P. & Russell-Smith, A.R. (in prep.).

Stats

First recorded: 1878
Last recorded: 2025
Total records: 832
Total visits: 794

Conservation status

Hypsosinga albovittata

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	Threats: Loss of heathland and calacareous grassland to agriculture and urban development are likely to the most important threats to this species.