Megabunus diadema (Fabricius, 1779)
A fast moving species when approached, Megabunus diadema is perhaps the most well marked and distinctive of all our native species. Its cryptic markings and relatively small size (3mm body length), mean that it is often well concealed on the trunks of lichen and moss covered trees it is said to favour.

We looked in many Nottinghamshire woodlands searching for this elusive Harvestman, eventually finding it in an area of coppiced woodland at Wellow Park in 2012 and Gamston Wood near Retford in 2013. Further surveys have proved Megabunus diadema to be easiest to find on the smooth trunks of coppiced Ash, growing along small wooded paths that allow some sun to come through. There is a single Sherwood Forest record, from Sherwood Heath SSSI (Godfrey, A.) in 2006.

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Nottinghamshire (VC56) distribution of Megabunus diadema
 
Megabunus diadema habitat in an area of coppiced woodland near Ollerton, Nottinghamshire.
 
The records for the Nottinghamshire distribution map are currently provided by the following contributors - Trevor and Dilys Pendleton. Sherwood Forest Trust. Andy Godfrey (2006 Sherwood Heath SSSI invertebrate survey). Nick and Samantha Brownley.

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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