Unknown lamponid

Fact Box Species: Unknown lamponid (QM) Family: Lamponidae Body length: female: about 15 mm male: about 12 mm Habitat: Found under bark or wandering on open surfaces in tropical rainforest locations Toxicity: Unknown but handle with caution since it may be able to cause necrotising arachnidism, although there is now strong evidence that no member of the 'white-tailed' spider family has a significant ability to cause this kind of medical problem in humans

Another specimen Side view Underneath spider

This species appears similar to the white-tailed spider, Lampona murina, but recent taxonomic work has indicated that the Family Lamponidae actually contains almost 200 members, most of which are no longer classified as Lampona species. It is very difficult for a non-expert to distinguish many of these species from each other. It is possible the photographs shown on this page are only of immature L. murina specimens, the white abdominal markings of which tend to fade as the spider matures. However, the fact that this spider has banded legs whereas L. murina does not means this issue is in doubt.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Lampona murina and other Australian lamponids.