DSC_4332 Red-legged swift spider (Nyssus coloripes) gravid female. Distinguished by its striking markings and rapid erratic movements, this Australian spider has been in NZ since 1943. In its home country, its striking coloration closely matches the distasteful nymphs of a particular gumtree shield bug (Poecilometis patruelis), and the spider may be an 'aggressive mimic' of the shield bug - becoming distasteful itself after eating the shield bug. In NZ however this spider eats other spiders - including our native katipo - invading their webs, taking both the owner and stealing captured prey. Dunedin *
11005-16213 White-tailed spider (Lampona murina) female. A distinctive, introduced Australian spider which lives in the North Island in fences and buildings, it specialises in capturing and eating other spiders, especially grey house spiders (Badumna longinqua). Napier *
11005-16315 Blackheaded jumping spider (Trite planiceps) common in North Island and parts of South Island. Often coming inside in summer, but more typically encountered outside, in cabbage trees or flax. This is our largest native jumping spider. Dunedin *
