Summary details for Zilla diodia (Walckenaer, 1802)

Distribution

The species is confined to the southern half of England. It is widespread in western and central Europe as far north as Sweden. It has not been recorded from Ireland.

Habitat and ecology

The spider is found on tall heather, brambles, bushes and the lower branches of trees, usually in sheltered shady places and among scrub on cliffs by the coast. It occurs at the edge of clearings or rides in broad-leaved or mixed woodland, in old hedgerows, green lanes, scrub and sometimes gardens. Forestry plantations often provide suitable habitat, at least in their early stages when heather is still present. Immatures can be beaten out of scrub and hedgerows in late autumn but have also been found in litter at that time of year. Adults of both sexes are mainly found in May and June, with occasional females in July and exceptionally September.

Status

The spider is often abundant where found, and is especially frequent in parts of south-east England (Harvey 2000).

Threats

Lack of management resulting in the closure of open woodland and the loss of heathland and old hedgerows is probably detrimental. Where arable fields are adjacent to woodland or hedgerows, spray drift from the use of pesticides on crops is likely to affect the survival of this spider. Original author of profile: P.R. Harvey using information in the species account by Merrett (1990). 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.