Photo credits
Sylke Rohrlach CC BY-SA 4.0 · Fir0002 GFDL 1.2 · Tom CC BY 4.0 · Donald Hobern from Copenhagen, Denmark CC BY 2.0
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.
First 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.
How to identify the White-tailed spider
- 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 the White-tailed spider is usually seen in Australia
Houses, gardens, bark, rocks, logs, leaf litter, clothing, towels and bedding.
How it differs from lookalikes
These comparisons are clues, not a confirmed species ID. Use several features together: body shape, size, location, web type and behaviour.
- Swift ground spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Look for the pale tail mark and elongated body. Shake out clothing and towels in affected rooms. For the other possibility, check: Check behaviour first: running on the ground without a web points toward ground-hunting spiders.
- White-banded house jumping spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Look for the pale tail mark and elongated body. Shake out clothing and towels in affected rooms. For the other possibility, check: Check for jumping-spider eyes, short jumps and mottled white-banded patterning. Compare with garden jumping spiders, bronze Aussie jumping spiders and peacock spiders if the body pattern or location is unclear.
- Red and black spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Look for the pale tail mark and elongated body. Shake out clothing and towels in affected rooms. For the other possibility, check: Compare with redback clues: redbacks are usually in a messy web with a rounded dark body and red abdominal mark.
Common comparisons
People often compare this spider with similar Australian spiders. These quick links help you check the closest alternatives.
Compare this spider by state
Use the state guides to compare this spider with other local possibilities.
Similar spiders to compare
Compare this spider with these likely lookalikes before settling on an identification.
Swift ground spiderUsually low risksame region, similar size, similar colour
White-banded house jumping spiderUsually low risksame region, similar size, similar colour
Red and black spiderUsually low risksame region, similar size, similar colour
Garden wolf spiderPainful but usually not life-threateningsame region, similar size, similar colourNext useful checks
Still trying to identify this spider?
Use these quick paths if the White-tailed spider is only one possible match. They help compare photo clues, local spider pages, bite guidance and similar Australian spiders.
Reference notes
How this guide stays cautious
Spider Identifier Australia uses visible clues to suggest likely possibilities. It is not a medical diagnosis or a formal species determination.
- Australian Museum spider informationAustralian spider identification, biology and dangerous spider context.
- Australian Museum funnel-web spidersFunnel-web range, identification and bite-safety context.
- Poisons Information CentreCall 13 11 26 for poisons advice from anywhere in Australia.
- healthdirect spider bitesAustralian spider bite first aid, emergency signs and white-tail bite evidence.
- Australian Museum redback spiderRedback identification, web clues and Australian distribution.
- Australian Museum spiders in the house and gardenCommon Australian house and garden spider context.
Common questions
White-tailed spider FAQ
Is the White-tailed spider dangerous?
Danger level: Painful but usually not life-threatening. Seek medical advice for worsening pain, spreading redness, allergic symptoms or concern after a bite.
How do I identify the White-tailed spider?
Check the visible body shape, size, colour, markings, location and web or hiding place. Key clues include: Dark cigar-shaped body; Pale spot at abdomen tip; Often indoors at night; May be found in towels, clothes or bedding.
What should I do if I think I was bitten by a White-tailed spider?
Clean the area, use a cold pack for pain, and seek medical advice if pain is severe, symptoms spread, infection signs appear, or you are unsure what bit you.
Where is the White-tailed spider usually found?
Houses, gardens, bark, rocks, logs, leaf litter, clothing, towels and bedding.
What spiders look similar to the White-tailed spider?
Common lookalikes can overlap in colour, size, web type or habitat. Use the similar spiders and common comparisons on this page to check alternatives before settling on a match.
Can I identify the White-tailed spider by photo?
A photo can help if it shows the whole spider, markings, size and where it was found. For the White-tailed spider, also compare the checklist clues and what to check next rather than relying on colour alone.