Opilio canestrinii

Males reach a body length of up to 6 mm, females up to 8 mm and both have very long legs. While males are orange/ red in body colour, the body colour is lighter in females but all have at least some orange colouration, usually along a broad mid-dorsal band. Both sexes have dark legs but with distinctive yellowy orange coxae.

It is often found in gardens and around houses and is an invasive species.

Adults can be found from June up to December.

The species is an invader that is quickly colonising Britain. It was first seen in the Uk in October 1999 beside a reservoir in the Lea Valley, Essex. The species has been expanding northwards from Italy, austria and Switzerland. Where it is has colonised Denmark and Germany, it has displaced the other two species of Opilio so this may also happen here.

This species has become more widespread and common in Britain.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.