| A very rare
spider (RDB3) which nationally, now appears to be
restricted to Charnwood Forest and Donnington Park in
Leicestershire and Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire (per Spider and Harvestman
Recording Scheme).
Traditionally, it has a strong association with
the ants Lasius fuliginosus, Lasius umbratus
and Lasius brunneus, which all nest in old trees
and in the nests of which, Mastigusa macrophthalma has
been recorded. Lasius fuliginosus is the only
one of these to be recorded from Sherwood Forest, but it
has not been found there since 1907 (Donisthorpe). At Sherwood Forest CP, Mastigusa
macrophthalma is found within accumulations of dead
wood and leaf litter, within the open stumps of long dead
ancient Oaks and now appears to have no direct
association with ants at all. On appearance, it appears
to be a dull, unicolourous spider with few discernable
markings, but the photographs below (no flash used), show
that the legs can appear irridescent purple in the
certain light and at certain angles. |
