Enoplognatha latimana

Male: 3 to 5 mm, female 4 to 6 mm. Prosoma light yellow, with narrow, black margin and dark median stripe. Sternum light yellow, with black margin and median stripe. Legs bright, almost white. Tibia usually (?) without black terminal ring. Opisthosoma bright, whitish, dorsally maybe with grey or shiny red pattern and black spots, ventrally with broad, black median stripe.  

Enoplognatha latimana appears identical to Enoplognatha ovata and can only be separated from it by examination of the genitalia of mature specimens.  Enoplognatha ovata is nationally common and where the two species occur together, E. ovata typically outnumbers E. latimana by approximately 10:1. 

• Conductor of male palp with slightly spirally twisted tip.
• Female epigyne strongly sclerotised laterally on posterior margin.

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope.  Confirmation of this species requires examination of the genitalia of mature specimens.

Sunny, open grassland.

Spring to Autumn.

A strictly annual species, young specimens overwinter in low vegetation to breed the following year. 

The species was described in 1982 it was originally found in heathland and coastal sites in the South East and in South Wales. However, it appears to be expanding its range North-Westwards. 

Currently rare or rarely recoded in our area, but may be increasing. 

https://britishspiders.org.uk/candy-striped-spiders