Megalepthyphantes sp. near collinus

Length 3.5 to 5 mm. Straight or tuning fork dark midline on the prosoma; prominent leg spines. Opisthosoma grey-brown with black spots. Legs red-brown, annulated with brown and with prominent spines.

Megalepthyphantes nebulosus

Microscopic examination of genitalia needed for confirmation of this species.

A wide range of habitats including gardens and buildings.

All year round.

Previously only one species of Megalepthyphantes was known from the UK, M. nebulosus. In 1999 a similar spider was discovered in Kent, since when it seems to have increased its range along the Thames corridor, through south-eastern England and has now been found as far west as Cornwall. While closely related to the European species M. collinus, the new specimens appear to be sufficiently different to be treated as a good species in its own right.

Uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland.

https://srs.britishspiders.org.uk/portal.php/p/Summary/s/Megalepthyphantes+sp.+near+collinus