Pest Profile

Scientific name: Lampona murina / Lampona cylindrata

Found Australia-wide, there are some 60 species of white tail spiders, but the two most common species are Lampona cylindrata and Lampona murina. Lampona cylindrata is found south of a line from southeast Queensland across to Western Australia and Lampona murina is found all the way up the east coast from Victoria to northeast Queensland. However, the behaviour and appearance of the two species is very similar.

White-tailed Spiders are ferocious hunters often found living under rocks, leaf litter, bark or logs in both bushland and urban settings – including in gardens and inside homes. Given their preference for a sheltered habitiat, White-tailed Spiders are often found living between items of clothing, shoes or in bedding left on the floor inside homes.

White-tailed Spiders have a dark reddish-brown to grey, cigar-shaped body with 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 bite of the White-tailed Spider has been controversially implicated in causing severe skin ulcerations in humans.

White-tailed Spiders do not live in a web but tend to wander in search of prey, often appearing inside homes. They are most active at night when they wander about hunting for other spiders, their preferred food.

Bites by this spider are relatively frequent due to its wandering habit. Caution is advised.

Protect your family and pets from White-tailed Spider infestations today by contacting Buggin’ Out Pest & Vermin Control for safe and effective White-tailed Spider irradication.