White-tailed Spider bites have been controversially implicated in causing severe skin ulceration in humans.Not all spiders spin webs to catch their meals. When night falls in Australia, the white-tailed spider hunts its prey on foot. This spider sneaks up on small insects or other spiders and sinks its fangs into them, injecting paralyzing venom. The white-tailed spider’s bite, while deadly to its prey, is not lethal to humans.
What is a white-tailed spider?
There are two common species of white-tailed spiders in Australia: Lampona cylindrata and Lampona murina. They are both part of the Lampona genus, native to Australia and New Guinea.White-tail spiders are vagrant hunters that usually roam at night. Instead of spinning webs and eating insects, they prefer to feast on other spiders, such as curtain-web spiders, daddy-long-legs, redback spiders, and black house spiders.
Spider-Snatching Gear
Sure, catching spiders in your bathroom is easy. But collecting them in the wild is more of a challenge and requires some special tools. Since most spiders hunt when it gets dark, collecting usually happens at night. Spider scientists (known as arachnologists) wear lamps on their heads so they can find eight-legged creatures in the dark. Some arachnids like tarantulas and scorpions glow bluish-green when a black light is held over them. Another useful tool is an aspirator, a long rubber tube with a stopper in a plastic vial. Scientists put an aspirator over a spider they want to catch, then suck on the top of the tube. One problem that scientists have when using an aspirator is that they usually collect lots of dust instead of spiders. This happens because the small screen that covers the tube can pull in any tiny particle in its way.
Scientific name: Lampona cylindrata
Size: about one inch long
Diet: small insects
Habitat: lives under rocks and leaves, in tree bark in the woods, and in gardens throughout Australia
Characteristics: feeds only at night; has striped legs and a white spot on the tip of its abdomen
Significance: helps control insect populations.
This Australian spider was first recorded in NZ in 1886, at Waiwera, Auckland. It is believed that it came into the country with early colonists and is now well established throughout the North Island. Another species Lampona cylindrata (Koch.L) is also known from Nelson and has recently been found in Christchurch. For many years the White-tailed spider was thought to be just the one species Lampona cylindrata but a recent revision of Australasian Lamponidae found that there were 61 species in Australia and just the two mentioned here occur in New Zealand.
Identification
White-tailed Spiders have a dark reddish to grey, cigar-shaped body and dark orange-brown banded legs. The grey dorsal abdomen bears two pairs of faint white spots (less distinct in adults) with a white spot at the tip; the male has a hard, narrow plate or scute on the front of the abdomen. The two common species in southern Australia, Lampona cylindrata and L. murina, are similar in appearance and have overlapping distributions in the south-east. Their bites have been controversially implicated in causing severe skin ulceration in humans.
Habitat
White-tailed Spiders are vagrant hunters that live beneath bark and rocks, in leaf litter, logs and detritus in bush, gardens and houses.
Distribution
Lampona cylindrata is found across southern Australia (south east Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia). Lampona murinais present in eastern Australia from north-east Queensland to Victoria (Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria,).
These dark grey spiders are 12-17mm long and readily recognised by their elongate body form and a distinctive white patch on the end of the abdomen. Pale patches are present on the sides of the abdomen in juveniles but these fade in adults.
Feeding and diet
They are most active at night when they wander about hunting for other spiders, their preferred food. They have been recorded eating curtain-web spiders (Dipluridae), daddy-long-legs spiders (Pholcidae), Redback Spiders (Theridiidae) and black house spiders (Desidae) During summer and autumn White-tailed Spiders are often seen in and around houses where they find both sheltered nooks and crannies and plenty of their favoured black house spider prey.
Life history cycle
Tufts of specialised scopulate hairs on the ends of their legs allow them to walk easily on smooth or sloping surfaces. They make temporary silk retreats and spin disc-shaped egg sacs, each containing up to 90 eggs.
Management
White-tailed Spiders around your house can be controlled by catching and removing any that you see and by clearing away the webs of the house spiders upon which they feed.
Danger to humans
White-tailed Spider bites can cause initial burning pain followed by swelling and itchiness at the bitten area. Occasionally, there are unconfirmed reports of weals, blistering or local ulceration – conditions known medically as necrotising arachnidism.
A debate continues about the involvement of White-tailed Spider bite in cases of severe ulcerative skin lesions seen in patients diagnosed as probable spider bite victims. Typically, in such cases no direct evidence of spider bite is available. Sensational media reporting of supposed cases of severe “necrotising arachnidism” has given the White-tailed Spider a bad reputation. However, a recent study has monitored the medical outcomes of over 100 verified White-tailed Spider bites and found not a single case of ulceration (confirming the results of an earlier study). The available evidence suggests that skin ulceration is not a common outcome of White-tailed Spider bite.
White-tailed spiders, belonging to the Lampona genus, are notable residents of Australia and New Guinea, recognized by their slender grey bodies and distinct cream-white marking on their tails . These spiders, particularly the Lampona cylindrata and Lampona murina species, thrive in urban habitats, integrating seamlessly into human environments .
The white-tailed spider’s banded legs and unique white markings, not only at the tail tip but also on males and juveniles’ abdomens, distinguish them within their ecosystems . They are a subject of interest due to their widespread presence across Australia and their interactions with people in urban settings .
Identification and Characteristics
- Species and Size
- The white-tailed spider is represented mainly by two species: Lampona cylindrata and Lampona murina.
- Size varies between genders; females of Lampona cylindrata can reach up to 18mm, while males are smaller at 12mm. Females of Lampona murina are slightly smaller than their L. cylindrata counterparts.
- Physical Characteristics
- The body color of these spiders ranges from reddish to grey, with legs exhibiting a red/orange hue.
- A distinctive feature is the white marking at the tip of their abdomen, complemented by faint white spots along the grey abdomen.
- They possess a cigar-shaped body, with sizes including legs reaching up to 5 cm .
- Habitat Preferences and Hunting Behavior
- White-tailed spiders are known for their vagrant hunting lifestyle, preferring to prey on other spiders. Their favored prey includes the black house spider (Badumna insignis) and the brown house spider (Badumna longinqua) .
- They do not construct webs and are commonly found in both natural and urban environments such as gardens, homes, and under bark or rocks. They are particularly active at night .
Habitat and Behavior
White-tailed spiders, recognized for their distinctive hunting behaviors and habitat preferences, exhibit unique characteristics that set them apart from other arachnids. Their lifestyle and environmental adaptations are outlined below:
- Habitat Preferences:
- These spiders are vagrant hunters, preferring environments beneath bark, rocks, leaf litter, and within logs and detritus found in bushlands, gardens, and urban dwellings.
- They have adapted to a wide range of locations across southern and eastern Australia, including southeast Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and southern Western Australia, as well as in New Zealand .
- Indoors, they seek shelter in similar secluded spaces such as shoes, clothing folds, and bed linens, especially during warmer months.
- Behavioral Traits:
- White-tailed spiders are nocturnal hunters, most active at night when they venture out to prey on other spider species, including black house spiders and brown house spiders.
- They do not construct webs for trapping prey but instead rely on their agility and hunting skills to capture and consume other spiders.
- Despite their predatory nature, these spiders are not aggressive towards humans and tend to bite only when provoked or accidentally disturbed, often in situations where they are found hiding in clothing or bedclothes.
- Feeding and Reproduction:
- Their diet primarily consists of other spiders, showcasing their role as natural pest controllers within their ecosystems.
- White-tailed spiders utilize silk to create protective capsules for their eggs, ensuring the next generation’s safety.
- They can live up to 2-3 years, indicating a relatively long lifespan for spiders, which contributes to their ability to maintain populations within their habitats.
This detailed examination of the white-tailed spider’s habitat preferences, behavioral traits, and key aspects of their feeding and reproduction provides insight into their ecological role and interactions within their environments.
Bite Symptoms and Medical Myths
Bite Symptoms and Medical Myths
- Immediate Symptoms of a Bite:
- Immediate burning sensation in the local area.
- Followed by mild swelling and an itchy red mark.
- Symptoms may include pain, swelling, redness, and in rare cases, nausea, vomiting, headache, or malaise .
- Common Misconceptions and Medical Myths:
- Misdiagnosis of white-tailed spider bites is prevalent .
- Persistent myths claim these bites cause necrotic ulcers, despite no evidence.
- Severe reactions like necrotic ulcers are extremely rare, often caused by bacterial infections, not the spider’s venom.
- High-profile cases attributing severe injuries to white-tailed spider bites have contributed to these myths.
- Reality Check on Spider Venom and Healing:
- The venom from a white-tailed spider is not dangerous to humans .
- Bites usually heal within a few days without causing necrosis or infections.
- Secondary infections can occur with any skin breakage but are not directly transmitted by the spider.
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has shown success in healing ulcers, including those mistakenly attributed to spider bites.
Prevention and Control
Preventing and controlling white-tailed spider infestations involves a combination of cleanliness, physical barriers, natural repellents, and chemical treatments. Here are effective strategies:
- Regular Maintenance and Cleaning:
- Regular cleaning and decluttering to prevent spiders from taking up residence .
- Vacuuming or dusting away cobwebs and egg sacs to discourage spiders .
- Keeping outdoor areas clean and tidy to reduce spider entry into homes .
- Physical and Natural Barriers:
- Sealing cracks and gaps in walls, windows, and doors .
- Using natural repellents like lavender, tea tree, and eucalyptus around the home .
- Encouraging predatory birds through garden features to control spider populations naturally .
- Chemical Treatments:
- Applying insecticides specifically designed for spider control in infested areas .
- Spraying roof voids, interior, and exterior areas with residual insecticides like NO Bugs Super or NO Spiders Total Protection .
- For severe infestations, considering professional pest control services like Essential Pest Solutions .
Implementing these strategies can significantly reduce the presence of white-tailed spiders in and around homes, ensuring a safer and more comfortable living environment.
FAQs
Q: Are white-tailed spider bites dangerous? A: White-tailed spider bites can be painful but are not typically harmful to humans. Most bites heal without serious issues when treated with proper first aid. A minority of individuals might have severe reactions, such as skin necrosis or ulceration at the bite location.
Q: What actions should I take upon encountering a white-tailed spider? A: To deter white-tailed spiders, regularly water blast the exterior of your home, paying special attention to small nooks in guttering and roofs where they may nest. Encouraging natural predators like blackbirds, sparrows, and the native Piwakawaka (Fantail) with bird feeders can also help control their population.
Q: What are the potential long-term consequences of a white-tailed spider bite? A: While most white-tailed spider bites do not lead to chronic ulceration, they often result in blisters and redness. However, there have been a few instances where bites from these spiders have caused persistent skin ulceration or necrosis.
Q: Do white-tailed spiders typically live in groups? A: White-tailed spiders, also known as white tip spiders, belong to the Lampona genus and are prevalent throughout Australia. Of the approximately 60 species, Lampona cylindrata and Lampona murina are the most commonly encountered. It is not uncommon to find more than one individual, as they are widespread.
