Linyphia hortensis

Size about 4 mm. The male has a dark brown rather cylindrical abdomen that usually has two pale patches at the top. The female is broader bodied and more strongly marked.

The spider is found on low vegetation, especially dog's-mercury, mostly but not exclusively in woodland. It is also found in hedgerows and can be swept off low plants in these habitats.

Adults of both sexes are found from late spring to mid-summer, females occasionally being recorded until late November.

Makes a small sheet web amongst the low vegetation.

Fairly frequent. The species is widespread in England and Wales, becoming very scattered and patchy in Scotland.

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.

3455 British records to Jan 2013