Lady bird spider back from the brink of extinction

February 2009. The Ladybird spider, so named for the male's red hot markings during the mating season, has made a remarkable recovery from near extinction in England thanks to a major conservation effort by a partnership of leading conservation bodies and landowners as part of Natural England's Species Recovery Programme.

In 1994, a 'web count' on a Dorset heathland - the single remaining native stronghold of the Ladybird spider in England - revealed that only 56 spiders were left, leaving the fate of England's most elusive spider hanging by a thread .

Conservation efforts carried out by Natural England - in partnership with the Ministry of Defence, Herpetological Conservation Trust, the Forestry Commission, Dudley Zoo, and members from the British Arachnological Society - have given the Ladybird spider a fighting chance for survival. The latest 'web count' revealed around 1000 animals.

Dr Helen Phillips, Chief Executive of Natural England, said: "Heathland habitats have become increasingly fragmented and degraded in recent decades, placing the fate of many of our species in the balance. There is nothing inevitable about this and no reason why we should simply accept biodiversity loss as an unfortunate price of 21st century life. The success of the Ladybird spider recovery programme shows what can be done and we are delighted at the very hopeful signs that England's most elusive spider is on the road to recovery".

Lives mostly underground.
The Ladybird Spider spends most of its life underground. It can be glimpsed in early spring, when males are dressed in red markings to lure females. With numbers so low and isolated, conservation has focused on captive breeding programmes and re-location of small numbers of spiders to other suitable heathland areas, managed to provide suitable habitats.

Helen Phillips said: "From a position teetering on the edge of extinction as a British species there are real grounds for optimism that the population can continue to expand. The success of this project marks a vital win for the biodiversity of our important heathland habitats."

Ladybird spider
The Ladybird spider is Britain's most elusive spider according to the Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats. Living a largely solitary life for around 5 years in a silk lined burrow with a silky but deadly awning over the entrance hole, these spiders attack and drag underground a range of large beetles, bees and wasps, though they can leave the burrow and dash after prey if needs arise. The three or four year old males dress smartly when courting the females in the early spring, entering into her burrow to mate.

Re-introduction and conservation management
A combination of habitat management on heathland, scrub clearance, and captive breeding and introductions have helped increase spider numbers. As a example of the success, a previous introduction of 100 spiders onto one MoD heathland, showed a minimum of 150 webs from a 2008 count, with 93 of these being small webs, suggesting a strong and self-sustaining spider population. Spiders have also been introduced to several other sites, with on-going work needed to strengthen these sites.