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White Tail spiders are now well established throughout New Zealand.
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They are common in urban dwellings.
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White Tails are active hunters, preying upon other types of spiders.
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White Tails may be found roaming inside houses, especially in warmer weather.
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White Tail Spiders appear slender looking, gray / brown in colour with orange to brown banded legs and usually with a distinct cream-white marking on the tip of the tail.
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Their sizing is (1 – 2cm) in length. Males and juveniles may have two spots on either side of the abdomen. A fully grown specimen’s leg span is about the size of a fifty-cent coin.
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White Tail spider’s are normally found under dry bark and plants and inside houses providing shelter and warmth from the light and cold after hunting at night. They also find plenty of their favourite prey grey house spiders.
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White Tail spiders often hide in clothing and shoes found within the home. White Tail spiders nests are tangled masses of webbing often found in dark dry areas such as roof voids.
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White Tail spiders are active hunters therefore do not build a webs to catch their prey. They are specialists in catching other spiders, particularly the common grey house spider.
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Where these spiders are positively identified as causing a bite to humans, the bite will cause instant pain followed by ongoing pain, discomfort and swelling at the bite site. A small ulcerous wound can develop similar looking to a boil. Bites normally heal within a week, but in some instances a nasty reaction can occur. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lethargy and headaches. Swelling is reduced if an icepack is applied immediately.
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If provoked White Tail spiders will bite but in most cases the bite will cause little harm. Different people will react to a White Tail spider bite in different ways therefore bites should always be cleaned and watched for signs of infection. Should any adverse symptoms occur always seek independent medical advice.
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