Species Details
- Species name
- Pirata piscatorius (Clerck, 1757)
- Synonyms
- Pirata piscatoria Blackwall, Pirata umbraticola (C.L. Koch, 1848)
- Taxonomy
- Animalia :: Araneae :: Lycosidae
- acid & sedge peats
Distribution
The species is absent from large areas of England and Scotland, but widespread in Wales, a few parts of England and possibly south-west Scotland. It is widespread in north-western and central Europe.Habitat and ecology
P. piscatorius is invariably found in very wet areas, most often near standing water. Bristowe observed that females build a vertical tube in Sphagnum moss from which they will dart out to catch passing insects. The lower end leads down into the water and if disturbed the spider will move down to below the water surface (Bristowe 1923). Adults are found in May and June but females are probably adult at all seasons.Status
A very local species. There has been an apparent major decline in this species, particularly in the east of Britain, but it is probably under-recorded recently in its stronghold in the west and north.Threats
Destruction and degradation of bogs and other wetland areas with associated standing water.Management and conservation
Protection of suitable wetland sites by ensuring adequate supplies of water of appropriate quality. Maintenance of open pools will also be essential. Text based on Dawson, I.K., Harvey, P.R., Merrett, P. & Russell-Smith, A.R. (in prep.).Stats
- First recorded
- 1898
- Last recorded
- 2025
- Total records
- 823
- Total visits
- 811
Conservation status
Pirata piscatorius
| 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) | Red listing based on 2001 IUCN guidelines | Least concern | 42979 | The apparent decline in this wetland specialist is likely to real, at least in eastern England where suitable habitat had been relatively well surveyed in recent years. Threats: Destruction and degradation of bogs and other wetland areas with associated standing water. |
| 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: Destruction and degradation of bogs and other wetland areas with associated standing water. |
Photos and media
Spatial distribution - hectad map
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Thresholds:
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Rejected records are excluded from this map. Unverified records are included.
Temporal distribution - records by year
Records that span more than one year are not included in this chart.
Temporal distribution - records by week
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