Pirata hygrophilus

Alternative names
Piratula hygrophila
Description

Males 4.5 to 5.5 mm, females 5 to 5.7 mm. Prosoma dark brown to black, with distinct bands of prosoma. Legs distinctly annulated (mainly femur). Opisthosoma with bright spots on both sides of median line.

Similar Species

Pirata piraticus

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Confirmation of this species: "Requires examination at high magnification in good lighting, typically examination of the genitalia." Bee, L., Oxford, G., & Smith, H. (2020). Britain's Spiders: A Field Guide. Second Edition. Princeton University Press.

Habitat

In the ground layer of damp woodland, raised bogs, lowland heaths, marshy grassland and other damp or wet habitats, but not normally associated with open water.

When to see it

Summer.

UK Status

Widespread in the southern half of Britain. Less frequently recorded than P. piraticus, with which it often occurs, but may be locally abundant. It is possibly under-recorded because it is less active during the day and more likely to remain hidden under vegetation.

VC55 Status

Under recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
Spiders
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Araneae
Family:
Lycosidae
Records on NatureSpot:
8
First record:
01/07/1992 (Jon Daws)
Last record:
20/05/2023 (Cann, Alan)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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