11005-16209 Slater-eating spider (Dysdera crocata) a distinctive, introduced European spider, ussually found under stones in warm dry areas. It has large opposable fangs for capturing and eating slaters - not normally popular as prey because of unpleasant chemicals they secrete to defend themselves - but by holding the slater away from its body, the spider avoids these unpleasant chemicals while it feeds. Broad Bay, Otago Peninsula *
11005-16518 Long-legged cellar spider, or daddy longlegs (Pholcus phalangioides) introduced from Europe. Common and widespread in NZ, it prefers to live indoors where its flimsy, messy webs are found up in the more neglected corners near the ceiling. It uses its long legs to quickly wrap its snared victims in silk from a safe distance, even trapping other spiders in this way. Auckland *
11005-16104 Red katipo spider (Latrodectus katipo) female with captured scarab beetle. This coastal spider lives in sand dunes, and is found nowhere else. It has disappeared from many coastal areas because human activities have modified its native environment. Although the katipo uses venom to paralyse prey such as beetles, this venom is also dangerous to humans. However the katipo is a shy and retiring spider and the only time one is likely to bite a person is when it is accidentally squashed by someone sitting on on one. Birdlings Flat *
