Parasteatoda lunata (Clerck, 1757)
Formerly known as Achaearanea lunata, this is generally an uncommon spider at Sherwood Forest NNR, with just two records prior to us finding these. There are two colour forms, including this brown form which was found in a metal shelter within a small area of mainly Oak and Birch woodland on Budby South Forest in September 2009. The same site also produced several other webs containing the more colourful form on subsequent visits. Only one of the other record of P. lunata is modern (2002) that being the first since 1912. The unusually proportioned abdomen is quite an indication towards an ID.
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Nottinghamshire (VC56) distribution of Parasteatoda lunata
 
 
 
 
The records for the Nottinghamshire distribution map are currently provided by the following contributors - Trevor and Dilys Pendleton. Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. Sherwood Forest Invertebrate Directory 2014. Stuart Warrington. The National Trust (Clumber Park invertebrate records). Tony Kavanagh.

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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