While carrying out a routine butterfly survey at the Radipole Lake Nature Reserve in Weymouth, Dorset, volunteers from Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) found an extinct species of spider called the Hypsosinga heri.

Volunteers have spotted a female spider. Researchers said that the spider is so rare that it has only been seen twice in the UK. Since 1912, the light brown or reddish yellow spider has not been seen. Allan Neilson, one of the three who identified the spider, said that it took them some time, but they were happy to know the spider was Hypsosinga heri.

Since then, two more females were seen in the Weymouth and a second group was identified nearby on the Lodmoor reserve. Experts said that it was very interesting to know that the spider, which they thought that has died in Britain over 100 years, has been found.

The discovery was made some months back, but the species has been confirmed today only. Though many females have been spotted, no males have been seen.

“Sara Cookson, Jacquie Rayner and myself were nearing the end of a butterfly survey last summer when we saw a very small brightly-coloured spider on flowers near the side of one of the nature reserve's paths”, said volunteer Allan Neilson.

Neilson said that he took some photos and checked his field guide and post on the society’s web to seek help. It took some while, but they were delighted to know that the spider has been confirmed as Hypsosinga heri.