Trematocephalus cristatus
Length: 2.0 to 2.6 mm. Legs red-orange. Opisthosoma black-grey. Prosoma red-orange, with black eye region and median spot. Males seem to have a hole in their heads. This is actually a projection forward from the prosoma (carapace) which rests in a groove in the tip of the head, giving the appearance of a hole when viewed from the side ("trema" is ancient Greek for aperture).
Microscopic examination of genitalia is required to confirm identity.
On the foliage of trees and bushes, especially Oak, Birch and Gorse, in woodland, heaths, gardens, parks, etc.
Spring-Summer.
Local. This species was formerly confined to a small area in the south east but has recently expanded to other parts of the country.
Uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland.
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
Enter a town or village to see local records
MAP KEY:
Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020
UK Map
Species profile
- Species group:
- Spiders
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Araneae
- Family:
- Linyphiidae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 1
- First record:
- 29/05/2022 (Cann, Alan)
- Last record:
- 29/05/2022 (Cann, Alan)
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.
In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.


