Oligolophus hanseni

Description

Normally quite a dark harvestman with a waisted saddle which becomes parallel sided after the constriction. The small trident is conspicuous under a hand-lens because the pale members can be accompanied by many additional tubercles. The ocularium is dark but can have some quite striking light patches on it - especially around the conspicuous tubercles. Legs usually conspicuously annulated - pale and dark brown.

Similar Species

Oligolophus tridens - trident and associated tubercles are different.  

Paroligolophus agrestis but this species only has some small bristles rather than a trident.

Identification difficulty
ID checklist (your specimen should have all of these features)

Photos clearly showing the trident and ocularium are required. 

Recording advice

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters. Photos clearly showing the trident and ocularium are required.

Habitat

Associated with woodlands, commonly in parks and gardens.

When to see it

Adults occur from August to December with peak numbers in November

UK Status

Widespread in Britain.

VC55 Status

Widespread but under reported. 

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:
harvestman (Opiliones)
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Opiliones
Family:
Phalangiidae
Records on NatureSpot:
10
First record:
29/11/2019 (Cann, Alan)
Last record:
15/01/2025 (Cann, Alan)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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