White-tailed spider

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The white-tailed spider, (common species are Lampona cylindrata, Lampona murina) are a medium-sized spider from southern and eastern Australia, so named because of the whitish tips at the end of their abdomens. The eastern and southern species are the most common species, both are similar in shape and colour. This has lead people to think there is only a single white tail spider. In truth it is highly probably that not all white tail species have been identified. The phrase white tail can be thought more accurately as a range of spiders all sharing a trade mark white mark on their tails.

Its bite has been implicated in cases of necrotising arachnidism, though the link is controversial. Recent studies monitoring over 100 cases had no such incidents. Leaving research to believe that such cases are rare rather than a common outcome for a whitetail spider bite.

Information on the whitetail species is limited as they are only found in Australia and New Zealand with only a limited number of researchers working in the field.

The bite of the Australian white-tailed spider, resulting in a pus-filled blister.

References

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