What is the most poisonous spider in New Zealand?

The katipō (Latrodectus katipo) and the redback spider (Latrodectus hasselti) are the only venomous spiders found in New Zealand. Only the adult females are capable of biting humans. Bites from both species are extremely rare, and there is a safe and effective anti-venom available.

What happens if you get bitten by a katipo spider?

Katipo and redback spiders are the only spiders that cause systemic symptoms such as sweating, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever. Generally these occur quite soon after being bitten. Mild symptoms can generally be managed at home with oral pain relief such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Are Katipo and Redback the same?

The katipo (Latrodectus katipo) and the redback spider (Latrodectus hasselti) belong to the same genus as the American black widow spider. These two are the only spiders venomous to people in New Zealand. In both species it is the adult females that are capable of biting humans.

How dangerous is a katipo?

Katipo bites were “extremely” painful, and there had been two recorded deaths of children bitten by katipo, both before 1840. Some people were at risk of developing complications, but Dr Vink said it was unlikely a katipo bite would cause death. “You won’t die, but you will feel like you’re going to.”

Are Daddy Long Legs poisonous NZ?

There is an often-repeated urban myth that states ‘the daddy longlegs is the most poisonous spider in the world, but it can’t bite you because its fangs are too small’. There is no evidence to support this story. First, there is no reason to believe the venom is particularly dangerous to people.

How did the katipo spider get its name?

Named after the Māori word, katipō, which translates to “night-stinger”, the Latrodectus katipo spider has gained an almost mythical status in New Zealand, where it’s notorious but rarely seen, and so fiercely protected due to its rapidly declining population, it’s illegal to catch or deliberately kill one.

What kind of food does a katipo spider eat?

The Katipo Spiders typical diet consists of ground-crawling insects such as beetles. Egg sacs are produced towards the end of the year and are guarded by the female in her lair. The Katipo Spiders belong to the worldwide genus Latrodectus, more commonly known as the widow spiders.

What kind of animal is katipo from New Zealand?

Meet New Zealand’s katipo. Becky Crew is a Sydney-based science communicator with a love for weird and wonderful animals. From strange behaviours and special adaptations to newly discovered species and the researchers who find them, her topics celebrate how alien yet relatable so many of the creatures that live amongst us can be.

What are the symptoms of a katipo spider bite?

Katipo bites are very uncommon and while likely to be unpleasant, are not likely to prove lethal. Typical symptoms include pain at the site of the bite, which may spread to other areas, becoming more intense over the hours that follow.

What is the most poisonous spider in New Zealand? The katipō (Latrodectus katipo) and the redback spider (Latrodectus hasselti) are the only venomous spiders found in New Zealand. Only the adult females are capable of biting humans. Bites from both species are extremely rare, and there is a safe and effective anti-venom available. What happens…