Species Details
- Species name
- Moebelia penicillata (Westring, 1851)
- Synonym
- Moebelia penicillatus (Westring, 1851)
- Taxonomy
- Animalia :: Araneae :: Linyphiidae
- arboreal
- decaying wood
Distribution
The species is widespread in south-eastern and central England and central Scotland, but apparently scattered or absent elsewhere. It has a Palaearctic distribution and is widespread in north-western and central Europe.Habitat and ecology
The spider is nearly always found in crevices in the bark of trees, particularly conifers, amongst lichen on tree trunks and sometimes in birds' nests. In early summer it may sometimes be found running over the surface of the bark in numbers. Adults are found in spring and summer mostly in May and June, but occasional individuals have been recorded in the autumn.Status
This is a widespread but local species. The spider is probably active for short periods and its cryptic tree trunk habitat is likely to be under-recorded.Threats
Threats include the loss of old trees in sunny situations.Management and conservation
Old trees in sunny situations should be retained and seral succession prevented from shading existing trunks. 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
- 453
- Total visits
- 446
Conservation status
Moebelia penicillata
| 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) | Red data categories - spiders (not based on IUCN criteria) | Spider Amber List | 42979 | |
| 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 | 42979 | Threats: Threats include the loss of old trees in sunny situations. |
| 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 | 42979 | Threats: Threats include the loss of old trees in sunny situations. |
Photos and media
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Spatial distribution - hectad map
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Temporal distribution - records by year
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Temporal distribution - records by week
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