139
Mitopus morio (Fabricius)
National status Common County status Essex Common
Frequence Ratio 1.8 Tetrad Percentage 7.2 Tetrad Frequency 22.6 Monad Frequency 19.0
Distribution
Widely distributed but this harvestman
docs not seem to be not especially frequent
or abundant in Essex.
Habitat and Ecology
Most records arc from deciduous or
mixed woodland habitats and rough
herbage. Other habitats include long grass,
an overgrown meadow, grazing marsh
grassland, scrab, sedge. Typha and
Equisetum marsh.
Adults have been recorded between July
and November.
Threats
Not threatened
Adults
SUBFAMILY PHALANGIINAE
Phalangium opilio (Linnaeus)
National status Common County status Essex Common
Frequency Ratio 2.5 Tetrad Percentage 9.2 Tetrad Frequency 29.0 Monad Frequency 24.6
Distribution
Widely distributed and numerous in
suitable habitats. Probably very under-
recorded in the large parts of Essex that
contain little but arabic desert'.
Habitat and Ecology
Found in open semi-natural habitats such
as grasslands, sea walls, landslips, heathland
and dunes but also common in ruderal
habitats and cultivated areas like old mineral
workings, allotments, gardens and the edges
of arable fields.
Adults recorded from June to November
peaking during August.
Threats
Not threatened
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 16 (1999)