Rare Spider Rediscovered After 40 Years. 'Exciting Find'

The wolf spider, a species of wolf spider last recorded in the UK in 1985, was discovered in the National Trust nature reserve at Newtown on the Isle of Wight, about two kilometres from the former spider colony. There are around 38 species of wolf spiders in the UK. Scientists had just four hours to find the spider where it was last seen before they had to leave by boat, the BBC reported.

Eventually, they managed to find two spiders. "I found the first one with nine minutes left and the second one in the last minute. I've seen 559 species of spiders in the British Isles, and this was by far the most exciting find," commented Graeme Lyons. His colleague Mark Teller called it one of his "unforgettable discoveries."

A groundbreaking discovery by scientists. "One of the most epic of this century."

Dr Helen Smith, a conservation officer at the British Arachnological Society, said: “The extraordinary discovery of this elegant little spider on the Isle of Wight is one of the most epic discoveries of Britain’s ‘lost species’ this century.” The lacewing has repeatedly failed to recapture its former habitats, so it seemed increasingly likely that the spider had joined the list of extinct species in this country.

Adult lacewings are typically 3.8–4.4 mm long. The site where the spiders were found has been restored to its original condition by sheep. Lacewings prefer open, sunny areas. Scientists now want to establish the full population size and determine the conditions necessary to expand the spider's range and ensure its future. Paul Davies, Countryside Manager at the National Trust on the Isle of Wight, expressed "extreme satisfaction" at the discovery.