2
Baryphyma duffeyi is a rare money spider found in areas of brackish Saltmarsh such as survive for
example along the Crouch, Stour and Thames rivers. Last year Haplodrassus umbratilis, a spider
previously recorded only from the heathlands in Dorset and Hampshire, was found in grassland in
the Hadleigh area. Steatoda nobilis is a species that has been recorded from several places on the
south coast. These records have always been assumed to be casual introductions. Now the species
has proved to be widespread in the Portsmouth and Swanage districts and last year the species was
found by Roger Payne in his house and garden at Westcliff-on-Sea.
Recent years have turned up several species in Essex that are new to Britain. In 1985 Zodarion
italicum was found in the Grays area and it has since been recorded in other parts of south Essex as
well as in London and Kent. Harpactea rubicunda, hitherto known only from central and eastern
Europe and Belgium has been found in the Tilbury area, and Scotophaeus scutulatus, a widespread
European spider, has been found in Colchester. Other species new to Britain have also been found
elsewhere. In Kent a Zodarion species has been found that has so far defied identification by British
and European experts. In the same locality a money spider common on the continent and a
European species of the jumping spider genus Euophrys have been found in several localities and
the latest news is of still more new species being discovered.
The origin of all these populations and their status is of considerable interest. Were the species
present before the English Channel was formed or have they been transported by man, and how long
have they been here? Many spiders are mobile and can probably "balloon" over large distances.
Species such as Euophrys browningi have almost certainly been isolated for a long time, but is not so
clear about the other species. We need more information about the distribution and ecological
requirements of these species in order to be able to come to a better understanding of their likely origin.
If you would like to help the arachnologists working in Essex, there are regular field meetings (see
list) and I would always be very pleased to examine and determine specimens for other people.
Peter Harvey, 9 Kent Road, Grays, Essex, RM17 6DE.
HOUSE SPIDERS: A SURVEY THAT MEMBERS CAN HELP WITH
Peter Smithers has conducted a survey of house spiders in the Plymouth area and some interesting
results have emerged, for example Tegenaria domestica the supposedly common domestic house
spiders was surprisingly rare, and Steatoda bipunctata, normally a widespread species of houses,
was noticeable by its absence.
Peter has become increasingly curious about the regional variation in house spider communities. He is
now seeking volunteers all over the country to monitor the spiders associated with the buildings in which
they live and work:
If you would like to help, survey recording sheets are available from Peter Smithers, Department of
Biological Sciences, Polytechnic Southwest, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA.
Anybody who would like to take part in the survey but is unable to identify their spiders can send
them to Peter 5mithers or to the Essex Field Club Recorder, Peter Harvey, 9 Kent Road, Grays,
Essex, RM17 6DE.