Lacinius ephippiatus has a rectilinear dark saddle which is solidly coloured black in the male. In the female, the middle segments of the saddle are less well coloured, gving it a faded appearance there. A hand lens will reveal a conspicuous trident with well-spaced equal members inclined forward. The femurs are armed with closely set, forward-pointing, stout tooth-like tubercles.
Lacinius ephippiatus is easily confused with Oligolophus tridens with which it shares many of the above features. However the trident members of Lacinius ephippiatus are slightly more slender and widely separated than those of Oligolophus tridens. A good view of the tubercles on the underside of the palpal femurs can also help - these are more or less just spines/hairs in Oligolophus tridens whilst they are definite spine-tipped tubercles in Lacinius ephippiatus. Similarly, the armament on the occularium is more or less just spines/hairs in Oligolophus tridens, but spine-tipped tubercles in Lacinius ephippiatus.
Some females of Lacinius ephippiatus can be confused with Odiellus spinosus. Compared in particular, the more closely set and stouter tubercles on the femora of Lacinius ephippiatus The trident too is very different - the members of Odiellus spinosus being extremely stout and forward-pointing whilst those of Lacinius ephippiatus are finer, more widely spread, and not inclined so far forward.
Lacinius ephippiatus is widespread over the whole of the UK- see the distribution map of the Spider and Harvestman Recording Scheme - but is not abundant. It is found widely in Europe, except the extreme south and north.
Lacinius ephippiatus is found in the ground layer, especially in woodland, but also in meadows, marshes and dunes. It may also move into the herb layer (Hillyard & Sankey suggest at night).
This has an earlier phenology than many other summer/autumn species with most adults being recording from June to October. The peak months are July and August.
Hillyard, P. D., & Sankey, J. H. P. 2005. Synopses of the British Fauna (New Series) No. 4: Harvestmen. Third Edition.Field Studies Council, Shrewsbury.
Richards, P. 2010. Guide to Harvestmen of the British Isles. Field Studies Council, Shrewsbury.
Richards, P. 2017. Tabular key for Identification of British Harvestmen (Opiliones). Unpublished.
Wijnhoven, H. 2009. De Nederlandse hooiwagens (Opiliones). Nederlandse Entomologische Vereniging.