Hadronyche infensa
Darling Downs Funnel-Web Identification: H. infensa
Medically important ground-dwelling Hadronyche from south-eastern Queensland and upper north-eastern NSW; dark funnel-web shape and region can support, but not prove, the exact species.
Medical emergency — call 000 for suspected biteThe Darling Downs or Toowoomba funnel-web, Hadronyche infensa, is a medically important Australian funnel-web spider documented from south-eastern Queensland into upper north-eastern New South Wales. The common name is therefore a regional label, not a rule that every specimen comes from the Darling Downs. Look first for the funnel-web group: a robust dark spider with a glossy, mostly unpatterned carapace, powerful parallel-moving jaws, closely grouped eyes and conspicuous rear spinnerets, associated with a silk-lined ground retreat or a wandering encounter. Exact H. infensa identification usually depends on locality and microscopic adult anatomy; a photograph of a “big black spider” cannot safely exclude another funnel-web, mouse spider or trapdoor relative. Any suspected bite is a medical emergency regardless of how well the photograph matches.
Quick identification
- Robust dark mygalomorph body with a glossy, mostly unpatterned carapace
- Small eyes grouped closely above the jaws and elongated rear spinnerets, visible only from a safe photograph
- Silk-lined ground retreat with trip lines, or a wandering spider near sheltered soil
- South-eastern Queensland to upper north-eastern NSW; the name Darling Downs does not define the whole range
- Photo-level match cannot prove H. infensa; treat any suspected bite as an emergency
What to check next
From a safe distance, photograph the whole upper surface and rear of the abdomen, then record body length, exact locality, date and whether a silk-lined ground entrance or trip lines were present. Do not approach or handle the spider to inspect its eyes, jaws or spinnerets.
When to seek medical help
Treat a suspected bite as a medical emergency. Call Triple Zero (000) and ask for an ambulance, lie the person down and keep them still. Apply an elasticated pressure-immobilisation bandage over the bite and then over the whole bitten limb, and splint the limb, if you can do so safely; mark the bite site, note the time and wait for the ambulance. Do not delay first aid to photograph, catch or identify the spider. Healthdirect applies this advice to funnel-web bites and bites from any big black spider. Published confirmed H. infensa bites include severe envenoming, so the absence of early symptoms or uncertainty about the species must never be used as reassurance.
Where it is usually seen
Silk-lined ground retreats in sheltered soil, commonly around forest, woodland, gardens, rocks, logs, roots and other cool protected sites within south-eastern Queensland and upper north-eastern NSW. A wandering mature male may be found away from a burrow, including around buildings or pools.