Porrhothele antipodiana
| Porrhothele antipodiana | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Mygalomorphae |
| Family: | Porrhothelidae |
| Genus: | Porrhothele |
| Species: | P. antipodiana |
| Binomial name | |
| Porrhothele antipodiana (Walckenaer, 1837) | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Mygale antipodiana | |
The black tunnelweb spider, Porrhothele antipodiana, is a spider found throughout much of New Zealand and the Chatham Islands in bush and gardens. They are related to tarantulas, and are a harmless relative of the venomous Australian funnel-web spider.[1]
Description
It is a large species, measuring over 30 mm in body length, 50 mm including the long legs. Males are often found indoors during spring and summer when they leave their burrows to find mates. When found inside, they are typically near a source of moisture such as a bathroom or laundry because they desiccate easily. Often all that is found indoors are shriveled corpses.
Typically, they build a silken tunnel with a broad area at the entrance for the detection of prey (often beetles, but they have been recorded eating snails and mice) under logs and rocks.[2]
Bites are painful and may cause localised swelling, itching, or numbness. Victims are advised to disinfect the area to reduce the risk of infection. The venom is not dangerous to humans.[3]
In popular culture
This spider was described by director Peter Jackson as the inspiration for his depiction of Shelob in his The Lord of the Rings film adaptation.[4]
Footnotes
External links
- Pictures of eggsac
- Black tunnelweb spider on the website of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
- Tunnel-web spider at Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
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