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 proves as 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, further specimens of Araniella displicta, have since been found at Harlow Wood in 2022 by David Shaw, on the site of the former Calverton Colliery in 2023 and at Clumber Park in 2025, by Nick and Samantha Brownley.
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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 October 2025

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