Summary details for Walckenaeria furcillata (Menge, 1869)

Species Details

Species name
Walckenaeria furcillata (Menge, 1869)
Synonyms
Tigellinus furcillatus (Menge, 1869), Walckenaera furcillata (Menge, 1869)
Taxonomy
Animalia :: Araneae :: Linyphiidae

Distribution

The species is widespread in parts of England and Wales. A Palaearctic species widespread in north-western and central Europe but not recorded from Ireland or most of Scandinavia.

Habitat and ecology

The spider occurs under heather and scrub, and in moss and grass on acid heathland but has also been recorded in deciduous woodlands, calcareous grassland and fens. Adults are found from April through to July, females until September.

Status

An uncommon species which seems to have undergone a long-term decline throughout its range in the southern half of Britain.

Threats

The species has fairly broad habitat preference and its decline is therefore unexpected. Past conversion of heathland to agriculture, forestry or building may have played some role in its decline.

Management and conservation

Protect remaining heathland and calcareous grassland sites from loss due to agriculture, forestry and urban development. Until more is known of the ecology of the species, firm management recommendations cannot be made. 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
297
Total visits
295

Conservation status

Walckenaeria furcillata
SourceReporting categoryDesignationDate designatedComments
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 List42979
A Review of the scarce and threatened spiders (Araneae) of Great Britain: Species Status No. 22 (Sep 2017)Rare and scarce speciesNationally Scarce. Includes Red Listed taxa42979Threats: The species has fairly broad habitat preference and its decline is therefore unexpected. Past conversion of heathland to agriculture, forestry or building may have played some role in its decline.
A Review of the scarce and threatened spiders (Araneae) of Great Britain: Species Status No. 22 (Sep 2017)Red listing based on 2001 IUCN guidelinesLeast concern42979Threats: The species has fairly broad habitat preference and its decline is therefore unexpected. Past conversion of heathland to agriculture, forestry or building may have played some role in its decline.

Photos and media

Spatial distribution - hectad map

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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