Euophrys frontalis

Euophrys frontalis

Description

The species is sexually dimorphic. The females are brown with darker rather zig-zag lines running along the length of the abdomen. These stripes are not as pronounced in the male which has red rimmed eyes and enlarged front legs used in courtship which have a blaze of white on them.

Similar Species

Euophrys herbigrada. 

Identification difficulty
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

This spider does not seem to have a well defined habitat niche in Britain, although it seems particularly abundant in grasslands and heaths. E. frontalis has a rather catholic diet, which may include insect eggs. It is only caught during the day.

When to see it

Adults of both sexes have been recorded between April and October, but mainly in May, June and July with females occasionally persisting into the autumn and winter.

UK Status

The species is widespread in the southern half of Britain, with a few mainly coastal records further north.

VC55 Status

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland

Further Information

4586 British records for this species to 2013

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

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

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records