Invertebrate survey at Gunpowder Park, the former Royal Ordnance Site in the Lee Valley
develop. Here the crucial factor will be management to maintain a proportion of bare and sparsely
vegetated ground, as well as a continuity of resources such as summer forage, over wintering stems, fruit
heads, etc.
Notes on species of conservation significance
The ecology and distribution of species of special nature conservation significance is discussed in
the following paragraphs.
ARANEAE - spiders
Araneidae Larinioides sclopetarius Local, Essex Red Data species, Essex Threatened
The species was recorded in Areas C and E. The species is locally distributed in England, with few
records from Wales or Scotland, the species is associated with habitats near water. In Essex the Lee
Valley represents a major county stronghold, but it also has other scattered records in situations
near water, sometimes being found in abundance.
Araneidae Zilla diodia Notable/Nb, Essex Red Data species, Regionally Important
The species was found in Area D, but probably also occurs on scrub and hedgerows elsewhere at the
Former Royal Ordnance site. It is confined to the southern half of Britain, and is especially frequent
in parts of south-east England. The spider is found on tall heather, brambles, bushes and the lower
branches of trees, usually in sheltered shady places and among scrub on cliffs by the coast. It
occurs at the edge of clearings or rides in broad-leaved or mixed woodland, in old hedgerows,
green lanes, scrub and sometimes gardens. The spider is relatively frequent in southern and eastern
Essex in scrub and woodland edge habitat. It has been recorded in 118 post-1979 10km squares
(Harvey et al. 2002) and its status will be downgraded in a forthcoming status review.
Linyphiidae Prinerigone vagans Local, Essex Red Data species, Essex Threatened
Prinerigone vagans was collected in Area D at the Former Royal Ordnance site. It is uncommon
nationally, widespread in central and south-eastern England, but very scattered or absent elsewhere.
This species inhabits wet places including wet grassy meadows, the shores of lakes, gravel pits,
sewage filter beds and Saltmarsh (Harvey et al, 2002).
Linyphiidae Silometopus elegans Local, Essex Red Data species, Essex Threatened
S. elegans was recorded in Area D at the Former Royal Ordnance site. Nationally it is rather uncommon,
but less so in the north. It is widespread north of a line from the Severn estuary to the Humber, but
mostly absent further south. The spider is found in grass, moss and undergrowth, often in wet or
marshy places. It is also recorded under stones on high ground up to 980 m. In southern England it
appears to be confined mainly to high ground (Harvey et al. 2002).
Lycosidae Pardosa agrestis Notable/Nb, Essex Red Data species, Regionally Important
This wolf spider is widespread at the Former Royal Ordnance site. It is more or less restricted to the
southern half of Britain (Harvey et al., 2002) and occurs in open habitats with a good proportion of bare
ground, such as some grasslands and old sand and chalk pits, as well as post-industrial habitats.
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Essex Naturalist (New Series) 21 (2004)