Spiders
These are the most common types of spiders
Many people confuse spiders with insects. The easiest way to distinguish the difference between the two is.
Spiders have 8 legs whilst insects have just 6. Insects have 3 distinct body parts, a head, thorax and abdomen whilst spiders have just 2, a combined head and thorax known as the cephalothorax and an abdomen.
As well as the above, other interesting differences include the eyes. Spiders have simple eyes whilst insects have compound eyes.
Spiders have piercing jaws whilst insects have jaws which are more suitable for chewing.
All spiders can make silk thread (although not all spiders spin webs) whilst most insects cannot.
Spiders can’t fly whereas many insects have wings allowing them to do so.
(©2019 DAFWA)
Redback
Latrodectus hasselti
Deadly and Dangerous Spiders – High Risk Spider
The Red Back is closely related to the Black Widow spider. It is also the most recognisable spider in Australia. They are in the southern parts of Australia and in Tasmania. Red backs thrive in dry areas such a fence capping, gas and electrical meter boxes, in bush areas and stored boxes.
The female is the most venomous and has a distinctive red mark on the back, but some don’t.
They are also found in machinery, empty cans, rubbish bins and dark areas such as under housing and roofs.
They mainly feed on other insects that are trapped in their sticky webs and known for eating small mice, lizards and frogs.
The female red back has a large abdomen and the body size can be as big as a large pea and can grow up to 15mm long, and the males are much smaller.
The female can live up to 3 years, and the male about 6 months.
The female red back takes about 2-3 months to mature and can lay up to 8 egg sacks in as little as 8 months. Each egg sack contains about 200 – 300 eggs.
The side effects of bites can be quite severe.
Symptoms can range from:
- Palpitations
- Muscle spasms
- Fever
- Sweating
- Vomiting
Bites can be very painful. Do not bandage the bite. It is best to ice the area and take pain medication and seek Medical Attention.
White Tailed
Lampona Cylindrata
Deadly and Dangerous Spiders – High Risk Spider
White Tailed spiders are commonly found in homes around Australia.
They like to hide in bedding and clothes piled on the floor for long periods, in mulch and rocks, and in cracks and crevices.
They have a cylinder-shaped body 1-2 cm long, are dark grey in colour and have shinny legs. Their tale has white or grey spots on it.
The bite can cause mild irritation and skin discolouration. This will usually dissipate after about 2 weeks. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, swelling, itchiness, and blistering at the site of the bite.
Ice the bite and if pain persists or the skin starts to blister seek Medical
Wolf
Lycosidae
Venomous – Poisonous Spiders – Medium Risk Spider
The wolf spider is quite large, measuring about 25mm.
There are about 130 species of wolf spiders in Australia.
Most live in leaf matter or in shallow burrows. They are hunters and are a hardy and fast-moving spider. Mostly they will be found in the gardens of suburbia.
Wolf spiders have 8 eyes. Four large eyes positioned in a square on top of their head and 4 small eyes in a line at the front. They are well camouflaged, which is very helpful for hunting.
Wolf spiders are not deadly but if bitten you may experience some swelling, pain and itching.
Black House Spider
Badumna insignis
Venomous – Poisonous Spiders – Medium Risk Spider
This spider is found across Australia. It is found mainly in gardens, corners of windows and walls, door frames and on tree trunks.
The size of an adult is about 18mm long.
These spiders spin tangled webs much like a funnel shape, and they are often confused with the Funnel web spider as they are very similar. The main difference between the two is the Black House spider builds its nest up high, while the Funnel Web likes to nest on or below ground level.
It mainly eats small prey that has been caught it its web, but the Black house spider is the most preferred prey for the White tail spider.
The Black House spider is venomous. If bitten, symptoms can include vomiting, sweating, pain around the bite and headaches. Ice the bite and if pain persists seek medical advice.
Mouse Spider
Missulena
Venomous – Poisonous Spiders – Medium Risk Spider
The mouse spider is found throughout Australia, with Tasmania as an exception, and is often mistaken for the Funnel web spider.
The average size is about 30mm long. They have eight small eyes like the Huntsman, and large fangs. Females are black in colour and the males can be either black or dark blue.
These spiders are like the Trap door spider, as they hunt in a similar way. They both burrow and wait for lingerers to pass the trapdoor, which they construct at the entrance. Once the prey is close enough, they then pounce.
Female mouse spiders spend most of their life in their burrows hunting and rarely seen.
They are also highly venomous. If bitten seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Daddy Long Legs
Pholcidae
Low Risk Spider
The Daddy long leg is a small spider, but it has very long legs that are approximately 50mm long.
It is one of the most common spiders in Australia.
They like to nest in corners of ceilings, under houses, garages, and behind furniture. These spiders build a messy web in sheltered undisturbed areas.
When threatened this spider bounces around in a circular motion. This is a defence mechanism they will use to deter predators. If attacked, they will remove a limb to get away from the predator.
Its main diet is insects and other spiders. The daddy long legs will wait for its prey to get close, so it is able to be stunned. It does this by pouncing and then biting.
Huntsman
Sparassidae
Low Risk Spider
The Huntsman is a large spider. These species can measure up to 15cm from leg to leg. Being large spiders they are fast movers. They are hairy with long leg, have 8 eyes and a flat body, which allows them to hide in tight areas. On their abdomen is a black stripe. These spiders mainly eat other insects and often wander into people’s homes. The female can lay up to 200 eggs. Bites can be very painful. It is best to ice the area and take pain medication. Seek medical attention if pain continues.
The Huntsman is a large spider. These species can measure up to 15cm from leg to leg.
Being large spiders, they are fast movers. They are hairy with long leg, have 8 eyes and a flat body, which allows them to hide in tight areas. On their abdomen is a black stripe.
They mainly eat other insects and often wander into people’s homes.
The female can lay up to 200 eggs, and Bites can be very painful. It is best to ice the area and take pain medication. Seek Medical Attention if pain continues.