Rare jumping spider found at Orford Ness on Suffolk coast

A survey by the British Arachnological Society found that of the 55 species of spider discovered at Orford Ness 12 of them are believed to be rare including the Neon Pictus which is believed to be the first time the breed of spider has been seen along the Suffolk coast. 

The Neon Pictus is a type of jumping spider that has previously only been found in six other locations in Britain and typically measure around just 3mm in length and found in shingle habitats. 

The spiders have been found at Orford Ness (Image: British Arachnological Society)

The discovery was made during two surveys that were carried out at the site throughout this year. 

The fragile coastal habitat at Orford Ness consists of 2,000 acres of reed marshes, mud flats, brackish lagoons and delicate shingle ridges and valleys.

Orford Ness along the Suffolk coast (Image: Newsquest)

Matt Wilson, the National Trust’s Countryside Manager for the Suffolk and Essex Coast, says: “It’s great to have identified a new species of spider on Orford Ness along with confirming that the other rare species last recorded in the early 2000’s can still be found here. Whilst the photographs we have may make them look fierce, many are so small that they were unlikely to have been found by non-experts and their equipment.

"The coastal marshes along with the challenging shingle environment here offer habitats for several different types of 'specialist’ species, and the presence of so many of these, as well as their high numbers, indicates a generally healthy habitat.

The Shingle environment at Orford Ness (Image: National Trust)

"Although shingle habitats are prone to damage by leisure and commercial activity, we believe the remote nature of Orford Ness, where disturbance is limited, may be helping these spider species to succeed.”

Orford Ness is currently closed to the public for the winter and will reopen in April 2025.