A critically endangered wolf spider, unseen in Britain for 4 decades, has been rediscovered on the Isle of Wight in what experts are calling one of the most remarkable species recoveries in recent memory.
The tiny, orange-legged arachnid Aulonia albimana was last recorded in the UK in 1985 but has now been found at the National Trust’s Newtown National Nature Reserve.
The rediscovery is being hailed as a major conservation success for the National Trust, whose ongoing habitat work at Newtown forms part of Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme – a targeted effort to protect some of England’s most endangered wildlife.
The spider, now informally dubbed the White-knuckled Wolf Spider due to the pale ‘knuckles’ on its palps and the dramatic timing of its rediscovery, was spotted this autumn by entomologists Mark Telfer and Graeme Lyons. It was found approximately 2km from the spider’s previously known colony.
This marks the first time the species has ever been digitally photographed in the UK.
Mark Telfer, who led the survey, has said:
“This is one of those unforgettable discoveries. To find a species thought lost for 40 years is thrilling – and testament to how the right habitat management, combined with curiosity and collaboration, can deliver remarkable results.”
Graeme Lyons added:
“I suggested calling it the White-knuckled Wolf Spider because this was probably the longest long shot I’ve ever taken part in. We had just four hours at the site where this spider was last seen 40 years ago, before our boat came to pick us up.
“I found the first one with just nine minutes to go, and the second one in the last minute. I’ve seen 559 species of spider in the British Isles and this one was by far the most exciting find!”
The species was discovered in a remote section of the reserve accessible only by boat. Once overgrown, the area has been carefully restored with the help of grazing Hebridean sheep, which keep the vegetation low – creating ideal conditions for the spider to thrive.
Paul Davies, Countryside Manager for the National Trust on the Isle of Wight, said:
“We’ve been managing this rare limestone grassland for years to encourage a rich diversity of wildlife. To see that work paying off with the return of a species this rare is incredibly rewarding.”
The British Arachnological Society described the find as “epic”. Dr Helen Smith, Conservation Officer for the society, said:
“The remarkable discovery of this dapper little spider on the Isle of Wight is one of Britain’s epic ‘lost species’ rediscoveries of the century. With repeated failure to find it at its former sites, where its open habitat has been lost, it seemed increasingly likely that it had joined the country’s sad list of extinct species.
Well most people just stamp and scream at them. Myself I get a glass and bit of cardboard and put them out. After all, they are a part of this wonderful planet… everything has the right to exist perhaps a little less stamping and more screaming ?..ha ha.
House spiders don’t like it outside & don’t survive. I am terrified of them anyway so going near one to pick it up isn’t an option