Dicranopalpus ramosus agg.

Description

A species of harvestman. Males are up to 4 mm long, females can reach up to 6 mm. Both sexes have very long legs (especially the second pair, which can reach up to 5 cm), another thing that makes this species easily recognisable is the fact that its pedipalps appear to be forked.

Similar Species

Dicranopalpus caudatus has recently been split from D. ramosus. See the news story explaining the species split.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Mostly on outer walls and fences.

When to see it

August to November.

Life History

The species has spread across Europe from Morocco. As early as 1957, it was reported in Bournemouth in southern England, from where it spread. It reached Scotland in 2000.

UK Status

Now quite frequent in Britain.

VC55 Status

Fairly common 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:
harvestman (Opiliones)
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Opiliones
Family:
Phalangiidae
Records on NatureSpot:
238
First record:
08/09/2006 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
20/11/2023 (Higgott, Mike)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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