Summary details for Salticus scenicus (Clerck, 1757)

Distribution

The species is widespread in the southern half of Britain, becoming more scattered in the north. It is widespread in western and central Europe.

Habitat and ecology

This is an easily recognised spider found on sunny walls and fences in rural and built-up areas but also indoors usually near a window. It is also found in more natural open habitats, on rocks, shingle and occasionally tree trunks such as oak in open situations. The spider has been found in pine woodland, swept from heather and sometimes occurs at higher elevations. Totally melanin forms have been described from industrially polluted areas (Mackie 1964). As with all Salticidae the spider has good vision and the enlarged chelicerae in the males, easily seen by the females, play a role during courtship. Males are found mainly in May and June, females between May and July, but adults have occasionally been recorded into the autumn and even winter.

Status

Common in southern Britain but becoming scarce in Scotland.

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.