Radipole volunteer, Allan Neilson, discovered this spider, Hyposinga heri on one of his surveys at Radipole. Though this species doesn't have a common name, the female spider in Allan's photos has become known as "Harriet". Below is Allan's account of his discovery:
On 28-May-2014 Sara Cookson, Allan Neilson and Jacquie Rayner were nearing the end of a butterfly survey when they saw a very small brightly-coloured spider on Hemp Agrimony near the seat by the path to North Hide. Allan took some photographs, checked his Collins Field Guide and posted them to the Spider Recording Society’s web-forum asking for confirmation of the ID. Experts visited Radipole in in July 2014 and confirmed it was Hyposinga heri; a much more exciting result than he expected.
Despite repeated surveys there, the two previous accepted UK records of H. heri were in 1898 and 1912 at Wicken Fen near Ely, Cambs, and it was on the point of being removed from the British list. It is thought a general drying-out of the Fen led to its extinction there as the species is widespread in damp habitats in Europe.
On 7-May-2015 Sara and Allan found H. heri on Hemlock Water Dropwort by the section of path leading to the gated-bridge: again it was a 3.5-4.5mm long female (photo above). Somehow she had survived the area being repeatedly flooded and the path’s verges run over by tracked-machinery during autumn and winter and then clear-strimmed at the start of spring.
During the Wetland Bird Survey on 17-May-2015 Allan found another female on the track between North and South Reed: this time on Common Comfrey in a lush growth of nettles and about as far from the river as is possible on the reserve.
So 3 sightings of this tiny spider in moderately tall herbs near reeds and water. Where else might it be found on the reserve? And where are the even smaller (2-2.5mm) males?
If you can answer Allan's questions, please do let the Radipole Lake Discovery Centre know, 01305 778313.
Photo Credits and Text: Allan Neilson
Stop Press: Allan has now found H. heri on Lodmoor. In all 18 spiders were counted last Sunday, 24th May. The males are still elusive...