New Zealand is home to the Katipo spider (Latrodectus katipo), a unique native inhabitant. This small, venomous spider is recognized for its striking appearance and is one of the few dangerous native invertebrates in New Zealand. The Katipo, whose name translates from Māori as “night stinger,” has become a subject of both fascination and caution. Despite its venomous nature, bites are uncommon, and the spider generally prefers to avoid human interaction.
Identifying the Katipo Spider
The female Katipo spider is identifiable by distinct physical characteristics. Her body is typically black and rounded, similar in size to a pea, with slender legs. A prominent feature is the distinctive red stripe bordered in white on her abdomen, a key marker for the red Katipo form prevalent in the South Island and lower North Island.
Two forms of the Katipo spider exist. In the upper North Island, female black Katipo spiders may lack this red stripe, or it might appear pale, yellow, or as cream-colored blotches. Male Katipo spiders are considerably smaller than females and appear white with black stripes and red diamond-shaped markings. Juvenile Katipos also differ from adult females, appearing black and white.
Where Katipo Spiders Reside
Katipo spiders are primarily found in coastal environments throughout most of New Zealand, excluding the far south and west. They thrive in sand dunes near the seashore, making their webs among beach grasses, other vegetation, stones, and driftwood. These habitats provide warmth and suitable anchor points for their irregular, tangled webs.
The Katipo’s adaptation to these coastal areas is a result of their preference for specific microclimates and available prey. They are often found under debris like empty tin cans or bottles, which offer shelter and ideal spots for web construction. Their reliance on these environments highlights their specialized niche within New Zealand’s natural landscape.
The Katipo’s Venom and Its Effects
The Katipo spider produces a neurotoxic venom, characteristic of the Latrodectus genus, which includes species like the Australian redback and North American black widow. While its bite can be painful, severe reactions are uncommon, and no human deaths have been reported since 1923. The main component responsible for the venom’s effects is alpha-latrotoxin.
Symptoms of a Katipo bite, a condition known as latrodectism, include localized pain at the bite site. Other symptoms may involve sweating, nausea, muscle rigidity, and general malaise. Bites from male Katipo spiders are rarer than those from females, due to their smaller size. They are still capable of envenoming. The spider generally prefers to retreat or play dead when threatened, biting only as a last resort.
What to Do After a Katipo Bite
If a Katipo bite is suspected, prompt medical attention is advisable, especially for vulnerable individuals like children or the elderly. Immediate first aid involves cleaning the wound with antiseptic or warm soapy water. Applying a cold pack or ice (not directly on the skin) to the bite area can help reduce pain and swelling before seeking medical help.
Latrodectus antivenom is available and effective for Katipo bites, though it is rarely required. Avoid applying pressure to the wound or consuming alcohol after a suspected bite. While symptoms can develop, serious reactions are unlikely to occur rapidly, usually not within three hours, allowing time to seek professional medical advice.
Protecting the Katipo Spider
The Katipo spider is classified as “nationally vulnerable” under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. Its populations are dwindling, with only a few thousand individuals remaining in limited areas across the North and South Islands. This decline is primarily attributed to habitat loss from coastal development and human disturbance.
Introduced predators also pose a threat to the Katipo’s survival. Conservation efforts are underway to protect this species, which is protected under the Wildlife Act, making it illegal to catch or deliberately kill them. These measures aim to safeguard the remaining populations of New Zealand’s only endemic venomous spider.