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Rare and spectacular spider find in 150 year-old tombs in London!17/01/2013 14:58:00
A large, rare spider has been recorded for the first time in London - deep in tombs at Highgate Cemetery. Photo courtesy of London Wildlife Trust January 2013. A large, rare spider has been recorded for the first time in London - deep in tombs at Highgate Cemetery. As part of the Wild London Inclusive London project, staff at London Wildlife Trust have been working with the staff and local community of Highgate Cemetery since last summer. During a bat survey in December, Trust staff came across a population of large spiders in the vaults of the Egyptian Avenue at the Cemetery. Britain's largest orb weavers Meta bourneti is particularly fascinating because, due to its origins as a cave-dweller (also known as a cave spider), it requires total darkness. Even an outdoor night time environment is too bright for it, so the spiders never leave the tombs.  A sealed vault provides a perfect breeding ground. Most of these vaults - walk-in tombs designed to house around four coffins - have not been opened for several years. And, because the structures date from the late 1830s, it's quite possible the spiders discovered have lived in the tombs for at least 150 years without being detected. Meta spiders are amongst the largest spiders found in Britain. They prey on small insects and woodlice. The females produce teardrop-shaped eggsacs, which hang suspended on a silk thread from the roof of their dwelling. When the spiderlings first emerge they are attracted to light, unlike the adults which are strongly repelled by light. This helps the spiderlings find new areas to colonise. Meta bourneti also need constant temperatures and high levels of humidity. Elsewhere in the UK, these spiders can be found in sewers, old cellars and abandoned railway tunnels. A sealed vault, on the other hand, provides a perfect breeding ground. Most of these vaults - walk-in tombs designed to house around four coffins - have not been opened for several years. And, because the structures date from the late 1830s, it's quite possible the spiders discovered have lived in the tombs for at least 150 years without being detected! 30mm in diameter 100 adult spiders Tony Canning, London Wildlife Trust Community Outreach Officer for Camden and lead on the project, commented: "The discovery of this important spider population in the heart of London shows just how valuable cemeteries such as Highgate can be in providing refuges for wildlife."
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