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. |