Archiboreoiulus pallidus (Brade-Birks, 1920)

Distribution

This species is widespread in Britain but appears to be scarce in the west and in Ireland. There are no records of it from the mainland north of Angus but it is recorded from Orkney. 

Kime (1999) describes the continental distribution of this species as extended Atlantic with a scattering of records extending eastwards to Russia in synanthropic sites. The species has also been found in Canada (Blower, 1985). 

Habitat

Analysis of the recording scheme's habitat data suggests a strong association with cultivated sites and with urban / suburban locations suggesting this is another garden species. However, it has been found in a variety of habitats including woodland, arable farmland and grassland. Elsewhere in Europe the species has been found on calcareous soils in arable land, forests, grassland and synanthropic sites and also in caves (Kime, 1999, 2004). Blower (1985) associated the species with calcareous soils in Britain but analysis of the environmental data does not support the existence of such a link. 

Phenology

Adults have been found throughout the year but most frequently in the spring and again in autumn. They are harder to find in winter as falling autumn temperatures cause them to move deeper into the soil until temperatures rise again in the spring (Biernaux & Baurant, 1964). Although hand searching and pitfall trapping will result in the collection of surface active animals, the use of soil extraction techniques are likely to be necessary to gain a true picture of the distribution and abundance of this species.

This species account is based on Lee (2006).