Photo: Sylke Rohrlach ยท CC BY-SA 4.0
Lampona species
White-Tailed Spider Identification in Australia
Dark, cigar-shaped wandering spider with a pale spot at the tip of the abdomen, often seen indoors at night.
Painful but usually not life-threateningFirst aid / what to do now
- Move away from the spider and avoid handling it.
- Wash the bite area with soap and water.
- Use a cold pack for pain or swelling.
- Call 13 11 26 or seek medical advice if symptoms are severe, spreading, infected-looking, allergic, or you are unsure what bit you.
This site cannot diagnose a bite. In an emergency call 000. For poisoning advice in Australia call 13 11 26.
Quick identification
- Dark cigar-shaped body
- Pale spot at abdomen tip
- Often indoors at night
- May be found in towels, clothes or bedding
Danger level
Painful but usually not life-threatening
What to check next
Look for the pale tail mark and elongated body. Shake out clothing and towels in affected rooms.
When to seek medical help
Seek medical advice for worsening pain, spreading redness, allergic symptoms or concern after a bite.
Where it is usually seen
Houses, gardens, bark, rocks, logs, leaf litter, clothing, towels and bedding.
Similar spiders
Use the homepage identifier to compare this spider against other Australian spiders by size, colour, location and web clues.