By Isle of Wight Observer
A critically endangered wolf spider, unseen in Britain for four decades, has been rediscovered on the Isle of Wight, marking a major conservation success.
The orange-legged Aulonia albimana was last recorded in the UK in 1985, before being spotted again this autumn at the National Trust’s Newtown national nature reserve. The rediscovery forms part of Natural England’s species recovery programme, which supports endangered flora and fauna.
The species has been informally dubbed the White-knuckled Wolf Spider, inspired by the distinctive pale “knuckles” on its palps – the small leg-like appendages either side of the mouth – and the dramatic circumstances of its detection. Entomologists, Mark Telfer and Graeme Lyons, made the find some 2km (1 1/4 miles) from the spider’s former colony, in an area accessibly only by boat.
Mark, who led the survey, 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 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!”
It is the first time the species has been digitally photographed in the UK.
Wolf spiders are agile ground hunters, but this rare species is also known to spin a flimsy web, leaving aspects of its behaviour a mystery.
The site at Newtown, once overgrown, has been restored by the National Trust with the help of a flock of Hebridean sheep, creating sunlit, short turf ideal for the spider. Countryside manager, Paul Davies, said the discovery was “incredibly rewarding”.
Dr Helen Smith, of the British Arachnological Society, described the find as “one of Britain’s epic ‘lost species’ rediscoveries of the century” and praised the collaboration and habitat restoration that helped the species survive.
The news coincides with a National Trust campaign encouraging people to get outdoors and explore wildlife this autumn.
