The harvestman Dicranopalpus larvatus (Canestrini, 1874) is reported for the first time for Belgium as well as for the Netherlands. It is a very rare species of Italian origin. From 2019 onward, D. larvatus was found in Great Britain and several other British islands. It is a small and ground-dwelling species. Both sexes are easy to distinguish from the common Dicranopalpus ramosus Simon, 1909 by their contrasting dorsal colour pattern. As a ‘winter species’, adults are mostly observed from December to February. Climate change, resulting in milder winter temperatures, likely will allow this species to colonize Western European regions with an oceanic climate regime.
De Smedt, Pallieter & Vanhercke, Luc & Stevens, Sebastiaan & Lock, Koen & Sluijter, Maarten & Wijnhoven, Hay. (2025). First records of the harvestman Dicranopalpus larvatus (Canestrini, 1874) from Belgium and the Netherlands (Opiliones: Phalangiidae). 2025.
