DSC_8661 Red back spider (Latrodectus hasselti) large female guarding an egg sac in her web located just inside the entrance to a rabbit burrow. The white egg sac is surrounded by trapped Cromwell chafer beetles. Although the Red back's bite will sting and feel uncomfortable to humans, it won't kill you. Cromwell chafer Reserve, Cromwell *
DSC_8640 Red back spider (Latrodectus hasselti) large female guarding an egg sac in her web located just inside the entrance to a rabbit burrow. The white egg sac is surrounded by trapped Cromwell chafer beetles. Although the Red back's bite will sting and feel uncomfortable to humans, it won't kill you. Cromwell chafer Reserve, Cromwell *
DSC_2652 'Sheetweb' spider (Ischalea spinipes) although this species appears not make a snare at all, preferring to rest on the underside of a leaf or blade along the midrib, with front legs stretched forward and bent slightly apart, and the hind ones out to the rear. A slow mover - it may be a 'wait and pounce' hunter. This beautiful green individual is from the damp mossy forests of Fiordland. Further north, in drier country, they can be creamish or brown. Lake Gunn, Fiordland *
