Katipo and Redback Spiders

Katipo (Latrodectus katipo) and Redback Spiders are rare in New Zealand. The Katipo is a New Zealand native 'cousin' of the Australian Redback and American Black Widow.

The Katipo is restricted to coastal areas and although it has a powerful venom it rarely bites humans.

Female Katipos and Redback Spiders are relatively easy to identify with their distinctive shiny black bodies and red stripes along the back and underneath. The underside will have a hour glass shaped red stripe. There is a more common spider called the False Katipo which is similar in shape and size but lacks the distinctive red stripe.

The female Katipo is the most poisonous native animal in New Zealand. However, as katipo are rare, few people suffer bites and New Zealand hospitals have antidote for the venom. In untreated cases, reactions vary from discomfort through to difficulty in breathing and problems with the nervous system.

Katipos are rarely found in or around homes and as they are a rare native species we would not recommend control other than barriers around the home. Contact your local authority as they may be interested in identifying the spiders and surveying its location.

A recent announcement (10/6/10) by Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson places the native Katipo in a new conservation status as a protected species. There could be up to a $100,000 fine or a year in prison for anyone found guilty of killing Katipo spiders.

For more information on Katipos and their distribution check out the Landcare Research or Te Papa websites.