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-threateningWhite-tailed spiders are common indoor wanderers in parts of Australia and are often found in clothing, towels or bedding. The useful combination is a dark, elongated cigar-shaped body, a pale spot near the abdomen tip and active movement without a capture web. That separates them from compact house-web spiders, but the pale tail mark can be small or unclear in a photograph, so use the shape, setting and behaviour together. Shake out clothing, towels and bedding in affected areas and seek medical advice for worsening or concerning symptoms after a bite.
Quick identification
- Dark cigar-shaped body
- Pale spot at abdomen tip
- Often indoors at night
- May be found in towels, clothes or bedding
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.