A RARE venomous spider known as the “master of disguise”; has been seen lurking in the UK – can you spot it?
The lesser-spotted lichen running spider was spotted at temperate rainforest site West Muchlarnick in , leaving experts stunned.
The large spider species is known for its ability to match the colour and texture of its surroundings.
The arachnid then uses the perfect camouflage to hunt its prey.
Their legs have lateral hairs, giving them a feathery appearance, further masking their outline against tree trunks.
Tylan Berry, county spider recorder for the British Arachnological Society, described the spider as “amazing looking”; with “incredible colour and camouflage”;.
And he explained that it is “incredibly difficult to spot”;.
He told the BBC: “The spiders love to sit on branches covered in lichen in wait for prey, perfectly camouflaged.”;
Only those with eagle-eyed vision will be able to spot the spider in some pictures.
With the spider artfully hidden it won’t be easy to spot the little devil in this image.
The rare spider has been seen in person only a handful of times across Cornwall.
Previous sightings were made at Lanhydrock, Cabilla, and the Redrice Cornwall Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve.
“It was very exciting when I was first told about a possible sighting at Lanhydrock four or five years ago, but it took me another two years to find another,”; Berry revealed.
The Philodromus Margaritatus, as the spider is scientifically known, thrives in areas with mature trees, particularly oaks, hawthorn, and pines, which are draped in lichen.
These trees are often found in open areas like heaths, parkland, and woodland edges.
Berry explained that the species is found in “scattered pockets”; across the south of Britain, between Cornwall and , as well as in the Caledonian pine forests in .
“There’s no evidence to suggest the spider lives anywhere in between these two distant areas,”; he added.
The expert stressed that conserving mature trees and their lichen-covered branches is crucial to the species’ survival.
Alison Smith, the temperate rainforest project manager for Cornwall Wildlife Trust, highlighted the spider’s near-threatened status.
She said: “As a master of disguise, this species is rarely seen, with only a few records in the county. Its presence shows just how important the habitat at West Muchlarnick is.”;
The rare spider was spotted during a lichen survey, further confirming the area’s ecological significance.
Smith concluded: “This is a near-threatened species, and it reinforces the importance of preserving these unique habitats.”;
