Summary details for Leptorhoptrum robustum (Westring, 1851)

Distribution

The species is widespread in much of Britain, but absent or very scattered in some areas. It is widespread in north-western and central Europe.

Habitat and ecology

Duffey & Green (1975) have noted that in the south of England this species is found in fens and marshes, particularly in the litter layer of thick herbaceous vegetation, and in wet meadows and fen woodland. However in the north it occurs widely on mountains and moorland, in upland valleys usually under stones and has also been taken in pine forests with heather, and on saltmarsh and in dune slacks. It can occur in exceedingly high numbers in the filter beds of sewage treatment plants where it is the commonest spider in this habitat. Duffey & Green (1975) also showed, surprisingly, that in spite of its small size this spider was responsible for inflicting bites on the workers at sewage treatment plants resulting in inflammation and swelling of the affected area. Adults have been found throughout the year, but mostly in summer and autumn.

Status

Local. Original author of profile: D.R. Nellist Text based on Harvey, P.R., Nellist, D.R. & Telfer, M.G. (eds) 2002. Provisional atlas of British spiders (Arachnida, Araneae), Volumes 1 & 2. Huntingdon: Biological Records Centre.