Araniella displicata (Hentz, 1847)
The finding of this beautifully attractive spider in a Nottinghamshire Churchyard will likely raise a few eyebrows - not only for turning up well north of any other UK records, but because UK records are relatively few and according to the Spider Recording Scheme, it is rarely found. This Araniella displicata was found in a small orb-web on a mature Yew Taxus baccata at St Mary's Church, Edwinstowe in early October 2020. It was kept over the Winter and after moulting through to adult (top two photographs) was released back on site and represented a first Nottinghamshire record.

If nothing else, this was an example of what can sometimes be found locally, even if that species seems very unlikely according to the distribution maps. And as if to emphasize the point, a second specimen (an adult female) was found on the site of the former Calverton Colliery, by Nick and Samantha Brownley in April 2023.
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Nottinghamshire (VC56) distribution of Araniella displicata 
 
 
 
 
The records for the Nottinghamshire distribution map are currently provided by the following contributors - Trevor and Dilys Pendleton. Nick and Samantha Brownley. David Shaw.

You can contribute your own records to help us gain an accurate status of this species in Nottinghamshire. Send an Excel spreadsheet of your records via the 'contact us' link at the top of the homepage.

Updated January 2024

copyright © Trevor and Dilys Pendleton (www.eakringbirds.com) . .
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