A species of spider that had never previous been seen in Belgium has been spotted on verge next to the Brussels Orbital motorway in Flemish Brabant. The nature association Natuurpunt believes that the spider could have arrived her on a car, lorry or bus that had travelled to Belgium from Southern Europe.
New species of spider discovered alongside Brussels Orbital Motorway
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The nurscia albomaculata is a spider that is less than a centimetre long. It has a few white dots on its abdomen. Normally the animal lives in southern Europe. However, in 2020 it was found in a soil near to intersection of the Brussels Orbital Motorway with the E40 Brussels to Liège motorway at Sint-Stevens-Woluwe in Flemish Brabant.
The discovery has been made public now as it recently appeared in a scientific journal.
Natuurpunt’s Jorg Lambrechts told VRT News that the discovery came as no surprise "Almost every week we discover species in Belgium. The species of spider has been around for a year or so”.
The find also shows that the Flemish Roads and Traffic Agency’s management programme of the verges adjacent to the Brussels orbital is producing results. By mowing the verges on time and removing the grass clippings creates the opportunity for more flowers to grow and these attract insects.