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The black widow spider, a member of the Latrodectus genus, is a highly venomous spider species found in North America and other regions. While black widows are not native to Australia, the country is home to a closely related species known as the redback spider (Latrodectus hasselti). Redback spiders, also known as Australian black widows, are highly venomous and can be found throughout Australia, typically in disturbed and urban areas. They are easily identified by their spherical black bodies and prominent red stripes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Species Name | Latrodectus hasselti |
| Other Names | Redback Spider, Australian Black Widow |
| Genus | Latrodectus |
| Family | Theridiidae |
| Native to | Australia |
| Found in | Australia, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, North America, Iran, Japan, England |
| Habitat | Warm, sheltered locations, near human residences |
| Appearance | Spherical black body, red stripe on upper side of abdomen, red/orange hourglass-shaped streak on underside |
| Size | Female: 10mm, Male: 3-4mm |
| Activity | Nocturnal |
| Diet | Insects, spiders, small vertebrates |
| Venomous | Yes |
| Bite Symptoms | Sweating, local and radiating pain, nausea, cramps, dizziness, headaches, fainting |
| Treatment | Wash area with soap and water, apply antibiotic ointment, seek medical help |
| Exterminator | Professional spider exterminator recommended |
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What You'll Learn
The redback spider is Australia's black widow
The redback spider, also known as the Australian black widow, is a highly venomous spider species believed to originate in Australia. It is a member of the cosmopolitan genus Latrodectus, the widow spiders. The adult female redback spider is easily recognised by its spherical black body with a prominent red stripe on the upper side of its abdomen and an hourglass-shaped red/orange streak on the underside. Females usually have a body length of about 10 millimetres, while the male is much smaller, at 3–4 mm.
Redback spiders are found throughout Australia and are common in disturbed and urban areas. They favour proximity to human habitation, with webs being built in dry, sheltered sites, such as among rocks, logs, shrubs, junk piles, sheds, or even toilets. They are less common in the winter months. The female redback is mainly nocturnal, spinning her web at night and remaining in the same location for most of her adult life. The web is an irregular-looking tangle of fine but strong silk, with vertical, sticky threads that act as trip wires to alert the spider to the presence of prey or threats.
Redback spiders are one of the few spider species that can be seriously harmful to humans, and their preference for habitats in built structures has led to them being responsible for a large number of serious spider bites in Australia. The venom is predominantly neurotoxic to vertebrates, giving rise to the syndrome of latrodectism in humans. Early symptoms include pain (which can become severe), sweating (including local sweating at the bite site), muscular weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Antivenom is available and can prevent severe reactions in most cases.
The redback spider is closely related to the notorious Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus sp) of the United States, differing only in the presence of a red dorsal stripe.
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Redback spiders are found Australia-wide
Redback spiders are found throughout Australia and are common in disturbed and urban areas. They are native to Australia but have also been found in other countries, including New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Belgium, and the United States. They are highly venomous and their bites can be deadly, but effective antivenom is available.
Redback spiders belong to the Family Theridiidae, which is found worldwide. They are closely related to the Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus sp.) of the United States, differing only in the presence of a red dorsal stripe. Redback spiders are believed to have become more common in Australia since European settlement, as human buildings and structures provide them with the perfect habitat for building their webs. They are often found in close proximity to human residences, hiding in dark, sheltered areas such as rocks, logs, tree hollows, sheds, and even under toilet seats.
The adult female Redback spider is easily recognized by her spherical black body with a prominent red stripe on the upper side of her abdomen and an hourglass-shaped red/orange streak on the underside. Females are larger than males, with a body length of about 10 millimeters, while males have a length of only 3-4 millimeters. The female Redback lives in an untidy web in a warm, sheltered location, spinning her web at night and remaining in the same location for most of her adult life.
Redback spiders are highly venomous, and their bites can cause severe pain and other symptoms such as sweating, radiating pain, and irritability. While their bites are not typically fatal, antivenom has been available in Australia since 1956 and has been safely administered to women in various stages of pregnancy. Redback spiders are one of Australia's most iconic deadly creatures and are known for their unique physical characteristics and behavior.
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The redback spider is less venomous than the black widow
The redback spider, Latrodectus hasselti, is a venomous spider species believed to originate in Australia. It is also known as the Australian black widow and is a member of the cosmopolitan genus Latrodectus, the widow spiders. The redback spider is often mistaken for the black widow spider, which does not exist in Australia. The redback spider is less venomous than the black widow spider, though its bite can still be dangerous to humans.
The redback spider is mainly nocturnal, with the female spinning her web at night and remaining in the same location for most of her adult life. The web is an irregular tangle of fine but strong silk, strategically placed for support and entrapment of prey. The spider's preferred habitat includes warm, sheltered locations, commonly near or inside human residences. They are especially common in disturbed and urban areas.
The adult female redback spider is easily recognised by her spherical black body with a prominent red stripe on her back and an hourglass-shaped marking on her underside. Females usually have a body length of about 10 millimetres, while the male is much smaller, at only 3-4 millimetres long.
The redback spider's venom can cause serious health effects, including nausea, cramps, dizziness, headaches, sweating, and fainting. However, it is not as lethal as the black widow's venom, which can result in more severe back and abdominal pain. While spider bites from either species rarely kill people, it is important to seek immediate medical attention if bitten and to get your property treated to minimise the risk of future encounters.
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The redback spider is also found in Southeast Asia and New Zealand
The redback spider, also known as the Australian black widow, is a highly venomous spider species believed to originate in Australia. However, it has also been found in Southeast Asia and New Zealand, likely due to increased travel and trade connections with Australia. In Southeast Asia, redback spiders have been reported in various locations, including Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines.
In New Zealand, the redback spider is considered an introduced species, with its presence first recorded in the early 1980s. It is believed that redback spiders initially arrived in New Zealand through cargo, particularly in motor vehicles, machinery, fruit crates, and other containers imported from Australia. Over time, they have established small populations in specific areas, particularly in drier regions and around human habitations.
The redback spider is closely related to the New Zealand katipo, another member of the Latrodectus genus of spiders. The katipo, native to New Zealand, is also venomous and considered endangered due to changes in its natural habitat. The redback and katipo spiders are the only two species in New Zealand that pose a significant risk to humans with their venomous bites.
The redback spider is easily recognised by its distinctive markings. The adult female redback has a spherical black body with a prominent red stripe on its abdomen and an hourglass-shaped red or orange streak on its underside. Females are larger than males, with a body length of about 10 millimetres, while males are only 3-4 millimetres long.
The redback spider is mainly nocturnal, and the female typically remains concealed during the day, spinning her web at night. The web of a redback spider is untidy and strategically placed in a warm, sheltered location, often near or inside human residences. They prey on insects, spiders, and small vertebrates that become entangled in their webs.
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The redback spider is a member of the Latrodectus genus
The redback spider, also known as the Australian black widow, is a highly venomous spider species believed to originate in Australia. It is a member of the cosmopolitan genus Latrodectus, the widow spiders. The redback spider's scientific name is Latrodectus hasselti, and it is considered a distinct species from the black widow spider, with which it was once classified.
The redback spider is easily recognised by its spherical black body, with females having a prominent red stripe on the upper side of their abdomen and an hourglass-shaped red/orange streak on the underside. Females typically have a body length of about 10 millimetres, while males are much smaller, at only 3-4 millimetres long. The male's red markings are often less distinct than those of the female.
Redback spiders are mainly nocturnal, and they are found throughout Australia, typically near or inside human residences. They are especially common in disturbed and urban areas and can also be found in Southeast Asia, New Zealand, and the United States, having been accidentally introduced to these regions. Redbacks are known to inhabit warm, sheltered locations, where they spin their webs. Their webs are untidy and have a gum-footed tangle design, with strategically placed threads for support and entrapment of prey.
The redback spider's bite can cause sweating and local and radiating pain. While it is not likely to kill a human, it can make them very sick for a few days. The redback's venom has been studied, and it likely contains similar agents to those found in the venom of the black widow spider, including neurotoxins and peptides that inhibit angiotensin-1-converting enzymes.
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Frequently asked questions
The black widow spiders are not found in Australia. However, a similar species called the redback spider, also known as the Australian black widow, is found in the country.
The redback spider (Latrodectus hasselti) is a close relative of the black widow and differs only in the absence of a red dorsal stripe. The redback spider is believed to have originated in Australia and is now found in Southeast Asia, New Zealand, and the United States.
Both the black widow and redback spider are venomous and dangerous. If you encounter either of these spiders, it is recommended to contact a professional spider exterminator to deal with the issue. Additionally, if you are bitten by one of these spiders, seek immediate medical help and try to capture the spider securely to help with identification.
