Dicranopalpus ramosus agg.

Dicranopalpus ramosus agg.

Description

Males are up to 4 mm long, females can reach up to 6 mm. Both sexes have very long legs (especially the second pair, which can reach up to 5 cm), often held stretched out to the sides.  Another thing that makes the species easily recognisable is the fact that the pedipalps appear to be forked.

Designation

Indicator Species - Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

Similar Species

Dicranopalpus caudatus was split from D. ramosus in 2015. See the news story explaining the species split.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Unless microscopic examination of the features detailed in Wijnhoven and Prieto, 2015 has been carried out, specimens should be recorded as Dicranopalpus ramosus sensu lato (pre-2015).

When to see it

August to November.

Life History

The species aggregate has spread across Europe from Morocco. As early as 1957, it was reported in Bournemouth in southern England, from where it spread. It reached Scotland in 2000.

UK Status

Now quite frequent in Britain.

VC55 Status

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Further Information

This species was split into two in 2015, see: https://www.naturespot.org/node/121303

Harvestman Guide (pages 25-26): https://arthropedia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Harvestmen_Nfk_Concise_Guide.pdf

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured squares = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records