Xysticus kochi

Description

Males 4 to 6mm, females 6 to11mm. Prosoma with black stripes and triangle large. Sternum light brown, margin brown-yellow. Legs dorsally dark brown with bright longitudinal lines and strong spines. Opisthosoma distinctly patterned with light brown-ochre foliaceous patterns on dark background, colour very variable (males overall darker).

Similar Species

Other Xysticus species. 

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

Confirmation requires microscopic examination of the genitalia of adult specimens.

Recording advice

Identification of this species "Requires examination at high magnification in good lighting, typically examination of the genitalia." Bee, L., Oxford, G., & Smith, H. (2020). Britain's Spiders: A Field Guide. Second Edition. Princeton University Press.

Habitat

On bushes and undergrowth, rough grassland. 

When to see it

April to July.

UK Status

Widespread but scattered, mainly in the south. 

VC55 Status

Uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland.

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:
Spiders
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Araneae
Family:
Thomisidae
Records on NatureSpot:
1
First record:
13/07/2021 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
13/07/2021 (Calow, Graham)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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