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Spiders
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Spiders of Otago
Spiders belong to the group of animals known as arachnids and differ from insects by having two body parts, eight legs. Most spiders have eight eyes, some six, rarely less. They do not have antennae or wings.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, we have an estimated 2000 species of spiders and just over half of these have been scientifically described.
Over 90% of spiders in Aotearoa New Zealand are endemic, meaning they do not naturally occur elsewhere, while the rest are natural introductions through windborne or have been introduced through human activities.
The species we frequently see around are houses and gardens are usually introduced species, with most of our endemic species being restricted to native habitats, from forests to alpine regions.
All spiders are carnivorous eating only live insects, while almost all spiders have venom which is used to overcome their prey, most spiders are shy and retiring and will only bite us if threatened. The most poisonous spider in NZ is the rare katipo spider.
Spiders play an important part in the natural ecosystem, by keeping insect number down, some of which can become pests in our agriculture and gardens.
Lamina minor Photo: Steve Kerr
Mamoea rufa Photo: dunsc598 (iNaturalist)
Cantuaria huttoni Photo: James Tweed (iNaturalist)
In the Otago we have over 200 species of spiders. Most of these species are native to Aotearoa New Zealand, with over 100 identified as being regionally endemic. Our region also has over 20 species introduced from overseas.
Amaurobioides maritima Photo: Lloyd Esler (iNaturalist)
Goyenia lucrosa Photo: Oscar Thomas (iNaturalist)
Hexathele petriei Photo: Mike Bowie (iNaturalist)
Hexathele waipa Photo: Dave Holland (iNaturalist)
Huttonia palpimanoides Photo: Gonzalo Giribet (iNaturalist)
Neoramia alta Photo: Warren Chinn (iNaturalist)
In Otago we have over 250 species of spider. A species list for species can be downloaded below.
