Photo: Don Horne ยท CC BY 4.0
Latrodectus hasselti
Redback Spider Identification in Australia
Small black spider, usually female, with a red stripe or hourglass marking and a messy web in dry sheltered places.
Medically significantFirst aid / what to do now
- Wash the bite area with soap and water.
- Use a cold pack for pain relief. Do not apply a pressure immobilisation bandage for a redback bite.
- Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for advice.
- Seek medical care promptly for severe pain, sweating, nausea, a child bite, pregnancy, or worsening symptoms.
This site cannot diagnose a bite. In an emergency call 000. For poisoning advice in Australia call 13 11 26.
Quick identification
- Small black or brownish body
- Red/orange stripe or hourglass mark
- Messy web close to ground or sheltered object
- Common in sheds, outdoor furniture and dry sheltered spots
Danger level
Medically significant
What to check next
Look for a tangled web and red/orange abdominal marking. Avoid touching the web or spider.
When to seek medical help
Seek medical advice for significant pain, sweating, nausea, spreading symptoms or if a child is bitten.
Where it is usually seen
Dry sheltered areas around homes, sheds, outdoor furniture, toilets, logs and stored items.
Similar spiders
Use the homepage identifier to compare this spider against other Australian spiders by size, colour, location and web clues.