Dictyna

Description

Small spiders (1.5 mm to 4.5 mm in length). The most defining feature of these spiders is their "cribellum" (a specialized spinning plate) and "calamistrum" (a comb of hairs on the hind legs). They use the calamistrum to comb the silk from the cribellum, creating an adhesive, wool-like structure that catches dust and entangles insect prey very effectively.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Unless identified by a recognised expert, detailed photo(s) are required. 

Habitat

They build small mesh-like webs on low plants and among dead plant stems.

UK Status

Dictyna arundinacea and Dictyna uncinata are widespread in the UK.

VC55 Status

Common.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
spider (Araneae)
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Araneae
Family:
Dictynidae
Records on NatureSpot:
1
First record:
06/05/2026 (Higgott, Mike)
Last record:
06/05/2026 (Higgott, Mike)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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