Lampona group spiders are found throughout Australia; L. cylindrata is particularly common in disturbed and urban areas. These spiders live in crevices, under bark, rocks and leaf litter and often in houses. They attack and eat other spiders including Black House Spiders.

As the scientific name suggests (Lampona cylindrata), White-tailed Spiders have a cylindrical body 1-2 cm long. Females are larger than males. The body colour is a dull, dark grey to brown with a distinctive white spot on the end of the abdomen, (sometimes also with paired spots towards the front). The spiders' legs are shiny and brownish.

Symptoms of White-tailed Spider bites are usually confined to local stinging or burning pain which is sometimes followed by development of an itchy lump. Less commonly bites cause swelling, skin discolouration and local ulceration, sometimes with nausea and vomiting. A sensible precaution is to remove these spiders when you see them around the home.

See our News Flash about necrotising arachnidism.

An ice pack may relieve local pain. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.