Summary details for Oedothorax retusus (Westring, 1851)

Distribution

The species is widespread in much of Britain.

Habitat and ecology

O. retusus is an active ballooner which can be found in most habitats but is perhaps most associated with grassland and is one of the most abundant species in agricultural fields. Like all other species in the genus, this species does not build a web but hunts over the soil surface. Males may be less conspicuous than females, found under leaves and generally less active than females as recorded in pitfall trap catches. Adults can be found in all months of the year with a peak ofactivity in the autumn (Edwards et al. 1975) sometimes earlier in July-August (Topping & Sunderland 1992). Our data for nearly 2200 adults show both sexes recorded mostly fromearly to mid-summer and to a lesser extent in late summer and early autumn.

Status

Common. Original author of profile: J.R. Bell 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.