Species Details
- Species name
- Rugathodes instabilis (O.P.-Cambridge, 1871)
- Synonym
- Theridion instabile (O.P.-Cambridge, 1871)
- Taxonomy
- Animalia :: Araneae :: Theridiidae
- acid & sedge peats
Distribution
The species is widespread in East Anglia and south-eastern England but is much more locally distributed elsewhere in southern Britain. It is apparently absent north of Derbyshire although the county distribution map in Locket et al. (1974) extends the range as far north as Cumbria. Apart from Sweden, where it is included in their Red List (Gärdenfors 2000) the spider is absent from Scandinavia, but otherwise widespread in north-western and central Europe.Habitat and ecology
This species builds its webs on low vegetation in wetland habitats including saltmarsh, reed fen, sedge marsh and carr woodland. Both sexes are mature from early to mid-summer with females recorded into the autumn.Status
Generally uncommon but most frequent in south-eastern England. There has been no recent decline in this species.Threats
Drainage and degradation of wetland habitats.Management and conservation
Ensure wetlands are not drained for agriculture or other land-use. Text based on Dawson, I.K., Harvey, P.R., Merrett, P. & Russell-Smith, A.R. (in prep.).Stats
- First recorded
- 1900
- Last recorded
- 2025
- Total records
- 465
- Total visits
- 453
Conservation status
Rugathodes instabilis
| 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 | 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 | Threats: Drainage and degradation of wetland habitats. |
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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