The Spider Research Project

Identification and Advice Service

SPIDERS
 

	WHITE-TAILED (or WHITE-TIPPED) SPIDER (Lampona sp.)
	WOLF SPIDERS (Lycosidae)
	FUNNEL WEB SPIDERS (Atrax and Hadronyche spp.)
	BLACK HOUSE SPIDER (Badumna insignis)
	REDBACK SPIDER (Latrodectus hasselti)

 

Although most spiders possess venom glands connected to their fangs, the vast majority are harmless to humans. Either their venom is not toxic or their fangs are too small to effectively pierce the skin, or both. However, in the ACT there are a number of larger spiders that can bite painfully. Some of these produce serious symptoms, and two are dangerous — the funnelweb and the redback.

As is the case with snakes, many people are bitten when they try to kill or remove a spider that might better have been left alone. Spider bite can usually be avoided by taking a few simple precautions. Outdoors or in a shed or garage, look before you put your fingers in or under an object, especially if it has been in place for some time. Shake out boots and shoes. Firewood can harbour funnelweb spiders, scorpions and centipedes. Gloves give some protection, although they can be easily pierced by large fangs. Dangerous spiders seldom enter Canberra homes, but white-tailed spiders hide in clothes on the floor or bedding, and huntsmen in curtain folds.
 

WHITE-TAILED (or WHITE-TIPPED) SPIDER (Lampona sp.)

The white-tailed spider has a dark grey to black, elongate body with a white spot on the end of the abdomen, and reddish legs. Young spiders have striped legs and additional whitish spots.  White-tails live naturally under bark or leaf litter, but they have become common indoors where they creep around the walls at night. They will shelter under almost anything including bedclothes and clothing left lying around, a habit which gives rise to frequent bites.  The white-tailed spider has a bad reputation, but there is no proof that its bite causes necrotic ulcers. Most victims suffer only localised pain, redness and swelling which may last from a few hours to a few days, although in some cases the symptoms are more severe.

photo: reproduced by permission of CSIRO Australia

WOLF SPIDERS (Lycosidae)

Wolf spiders are common on the ground amongst rubbish and in holes, but rarely enter houses.  One large species (Lycosa godeffroyi) lives in a vertical burrow in open ground in gardens and grassland areas. It can be quite aggressive and is often mistaken for a funnelweb, but the wolf spider is velvety grey-brown with markings radiating from the centre of the carapace, whereas the funnelweb is black.  A bite from a large wolf spider is painful, but the symptoms are not usually serious. Minor redness and swelling is the most common result.

photo: reproduced by permission of CSIRO Australia

 

FUNNEL WEB SPIDERS (Atrax and Hadronyche spp.)

Funnelwebs are large spiders with a shiny black carapace (front part of the body) and a dull black or brownish abdomen. These spiders rear up aggressively when disturbed, the very large fangs dripping venom.  Funnelwebs are scarce in Canberra, although common in wetter country to the south of the city and towards the coast. They may come in with firewood. The nest, which is usually in a rock crevice, in rotten wood or under a log, is a white sac-like tubular web with strands radiating from the entrance. The robust females rarely venture from the nest, but the males, which have a smaller abdomen and longer legs, wander on the ground at times.

photo: reproduced by permission of CSIRO Australia

Funnelweb venom, particularly that of male spiders, is very toxic. While the local species are not known to be dangerous, any bite should be treated very seriously. A pressure immobilisation bandage as for snake bite should be applied and medical attention sought immediately. Symptoms of a serious reaction include numbness of the mouth, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, sweating, shortness of breath, raised blood pressure, confusion and a depressed conscious state.

photo: CSIRO Entomology

 

BLACK HOUSE SPIDER (Badumna insignis)

This nasty spider is common in built-up areas but fortunately timid. It makes a dense lacy web in window corners and sheds, crevices in bricks and fences, and in stacked rubbish. One or more definite funnels in the web lead to a retreat, from where the spider rushes out to retrieve trapped prey. Female black house spiders are 12-18mm long and black or grey, usually with a patterned abdomen. Despite the funnel in its web, this spider is not related to the true funnelweb spider.  Bites from the black house spider are rare but can cause some serious symptoms, including severe pain, numbness, headache, giddiness, nausea, vomiting and sweating.

 

REDBACK SPIDER (Latrodectus hasselti)

Almost too familiar to need description, female redbacks are jet black spiders with a variable red stripe on the back of the spherical abdomen. Their tough, untidy webs are usually near the ground with the spider, often guarding her round woolly egg sacs, hiding in a shelter in a corner. The male redback is brownish, small, harmless and easily overlooked. Redbacks are common in the ACT in dry places around buildings and standing boxes, rubbish and machinery. In the bush, they nest under logs and rocks.  Redback spiders are not aggressive, but their bite is very venemous — for children or the elderly, potentially fatal. After a bite, the onset of pain may be delayed for five minutes then increase in intensity. Subsequent symptoms vary but have included nausea, vomiting, abdominal or generalised pain, sweating, restlessness, palpitations, weakness, muscle spasm and fever.  Anyone bitten by a redback spider should seek medical attention, although this is not urgent unless symptoms are severe as the venom moves only slowly from the bite. Do not bandage the bite — this may increase the pain. Apply iced water and take simple painkillers. An antivenom is available and is very effective in relieving symptoms.

photo: M.Matthews

 
For further information and advice please contact the:

Identification and Advice Officer  Australian National Insect Collection  CSIRO Entomology  GPO Box 1700  Canberra ACT 2601  Street Address  Clunies Ross St  ACTON ACT 2601
Tel:	(02) 6246 4263
Fax:	(02) 6246 4364
Mobile:	0419 428 400
	ident@ento.csiro.au

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