Drassodes cupreus

Description

D. cupreus is the most common of UK spiders in this genus but cannot easily be distinguished from D. lapidotus. The female is 9-18 mm with a mousy grey abdomen and long tubular spinners. If we cannot be certain that an image is D. cupreus but it is likely to be this species, it is highlighted in a red box

Similar Species

It is very similar to D. lapidotus and certain identification requires detailed examination.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Under stones and leaf litter in dry places.

Life History

A ground spider - it is a fierce nocturnal hunter, spending the day in its silken retreat. In 1999 Swedish scientists discovered that it has a built in sense of navigation.

UK Status

Common and widespread in Britain.

VC55 Status

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Further Information

3108 British records to Jan 2013

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
Spiders
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Araneae
Family:
Gnaphosidae
Records on NatureSpot:
18
First record:
03/06/1992 (Jon Daws)
Last record:
23/08/2018 (Nicholls, David)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

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