Name: Lampona cylindrata.
Family: Drassidae.
Description: The white-tail spider is generally a dark colour with reddish
legs. At the end of the abdomen is a small white mark. The female is generally
about 14mm long and the male is about 12mm long. When the spider is young it
may have many white markings on its back but in time these marks will disappear.
Diet: The white-tail spider hunts in the first few hours of darkness,
and this is the time you are most likely to see them. They eat small insects
like ants, silverfish and other small household bugs. The white-tail also scavenges
from other spiders webs.
The White-tail Bite: The white-tails bite is not deadly to humans,
although it is a nasty bite. In some people a bad reaction which makes large
welts and bad deformities can be caused.There will be a lump formimng, and this
lump may grow and become a number of large blisters. Fortunately this reaction
does not happen it everyone. If you react to the bite like this you will unfortunately
have the symptoms for good. They may completely disappear for years and then
suddenly reappear. This feature of the White-tail is it's worst.
Location: The white-tail spider is found all over Australia and Tasmania, and has newly been introduced to New Zealand. They usually live outside around old wood, dry leaves and dead plant matter. In the summer time they move indoors if they can. They are generally seen high up on walls or anywhere rather dark.