Project to protect 'lost' spider gets funding boost

A conservation project aimed at protecting the critically endangered diamond-backed spider has received a £50,458 funding boost from the UK government. The spider, once thought extinct, was rediscovered in 2017 and is currently known to survive only at Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire. The National Trust, in partnership with the British Arachnological Society, will use the funding through the Species Recovery Programme to advance research and conservation efforts focused on this elusive species. The project seeks to deepen understanding of the spider’s behavior, breeding patterns, and origins. Despite ongoing studies, key aspects such as the presence of gravid females remain unknown, making reproduction a critical focus. Future plans include genetic analysis to trace the spider’s lineage and surveys of nearby heathlands, including Sherwood Forest and Ashdown Forest in Sussex, where the species was last recorded in 1969. These efforts aim to identify potential new habitats and expand the spider’s known range. Conservationists emphasize the ecological importance of the diamond-backed spider as a natural pest controller that contributes to maintaining balanced ecosystems. Gareth Jones, lead ranger at Clumber Park, highlighted that the funding will enable the project to shift from discovery to active recovery, creating conditions for the species to thrive not only at Clumber but potentially in other suitable heathland areas. Dr. Helen Smith of the British Arachnological Society noted the precarious status of the spider and expressed hope that the support will help secure its future both locally and more broadly across heathlands in Nottinghamshire and beyond.