Phalangium opilio (Linnaeus, 1758)
A common and widespread Harvestman, regularly found on the walls of buildings in urban areas, but it does occur in most other habitat types. It is the most likely Harvestman to be found in open locations, often being found on former pit tops and other brownfield sites, heathland and grassland throughout Nottinghamshire. Recorder bias probably accounts for the lack of records east of the River Trent but it is certainly present along the Trent Valley. The distinctive male is illustrated in the top two photographs.
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Juvenile Phalangium opilio. Photographed at Oak Tree Heath June 2021.
 
 
Nottinghamshire (VC56) distribution of Phalangium opilio
 
 
 
 
The records for the Nottinghamshire distribution map are currently provided by the following contributors - Trevor and Dilys Pendleton. Sherwood Forest Trust (2008 Oak Tree Heath invertebrate survey). Sherwood Forest Trust. Andy Godfrey (2006 Sherwood Heath SSSI invertebrate survey). David Shaw. Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. Netherfield Wildlife Group. Sean Tobin. Sherwood Forest Invertebrate Directory 2014. NBGRC. Meg Skinner. Peter Kirby (Ploughman Wood Invertebrate survey 1998 on behalf of the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust). 

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) . .
Harvestman Photo Gallery - Thumbnail version
Harvestman Photo Gallery - Text version