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Redback spider

Redback spider

Latrodectus hasselti

A species of Widow spiders, Also known as Red-back widow spider

The redback spider (Latrodectus hasselti) hunts large creatures, including trapdoor spiders (Ctenizidae), king crickets (Anostostomatidae), and even small lizards. It will commonly steal prey off of other spiders' webs too. These spiders bite humans frequently, but only the females pose a serious threat. Female bites could lead to illnesses and even death in extreme cases.

Toxic to Humans
Toxic to Humans
Toxic to Animals
Toxic to Animals
Is the Redback spider Deadly?
Deadly
Bite Humans
Bite Humans
General Info About Redback spider
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Attributes of Redback spider
Colors
Brown
Black
Red
Habitat
human residence
Adult Food Sources
Insects such as flies, mosquitoes, grasshoppers, beetles, and other spiders
Larva Food Source
Small insects such as aphids, tiny beetles, and other arthropods
Non-poisonous
Not reported
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
Not reported
Predatory
The Redback spider typically preys on other arthropods and does not directly affect plants.
Biting animal or pet
Yes
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Species Status of Redback spider
It is widespread across Australia. The current distribution includes Southeast Asia and New Zealand. Colonies and individuals have been found elsewhere, including Japan, England, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates and Iran.
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Distribution Area of Redback spider
Australia, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, Japan, England, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, Iran
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Predators of Redback spider Larvae
Ants, wasps, bird species, larger spiders
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Predators of Adult Redback spider
Birds, centipedes, scorpions, larger spiders, praying mantises
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Interesting Facts About Redback spider
Female redback spider can store sperm for extended periods, enabling them to fertilize eggs without a male present long after mating.
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Scientific Classification of Redback spider
Tips for Finding Redback spider
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Youth Habitat of Redback spider
Grasslands and Prairies, Urban and Suburban Areas, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas
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Adult Habitat of Redback spider
Grasslands and Prairies, Urban and Suburban Areas, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas
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How Can You Attract Redback spider
Insects such as flies, mosquitoes, or small moths can serve as bait, as redback spider preys on these for survival.
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How and Where Can You Find Redback spider at Different Life Stages
Egg Redback spider egg sacks are usually spherical and are found attached to the web or hidden in the crevices. To find them, search near the typical web locations of adult redback spider, often in sheltered, undisturbed places.
Juvenile Redback spider spiderlings can be found near their hatching site. Look for tiny webs in close proximity to where an egg sack was found. They are extremely small, so searching may require a magnifying glass or careful observation.
Redback spider juveniles are likely to be found on smaller, inconspicuous webs. They may not be in the same vicinity as the adults. Search for them in similar environments but possibly closer to the ground.
Adult Redback spider adults will have established webs, which are often found in dark, secluded areas with low human foot traffic. Look for these webs in areas like sheds, garages, under eaves, or in vegetation. Spotting the distinctive web structure can lead to locating the redback spider.
Are Redback spider harmful?
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Redback spider that is used to hiding in sunless places would take scenarios for as if they were threatened and are "forced" to bite humans or other animals.

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Are Redback spider harmful to humans?

Defensive attack. They rarely attack humans unless they feel threatened and violated. That's why their bites are usually around the tips of human limbs. However, in Australia, redback spider often lurk around buildings and sometimes even under the toilet seats. Therefore there were quite a few early reports from Australia where patients had bites on their genitals.
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The redback spider bite barely leaves behind any visible wound. Some people only have a mild burning or stinging feeling. There are over 2,000 redback spider-bitten patients in the US every year, where most of them can heal by themselves without going to a hospital. Some of these patients even have had no venom injection and merely suffer from a simple skin wound. This is 180-degree opposite from people's stereotype knowledge. The truth is, most of the bitten people are never seriously injured and the possibility of death is minimal.
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The redback spider venom injection has a bad impact on all parts of the human body, with the following symptoms:
  • Inflamed and swollen skin area keeps enlarging
  • Nausea and emesis
  • Hidrosis
  • Palpitation
  • Cramps
  • Elevated blood pressure
  • Headache
  • Stomachache or chest pain
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The intense pain and other unwell symptoms can usually last over 24 hours. They usually clear up within a week, but some people have suffered for a few weeks before recovery. Only very few people may suffer from serious complications such as skin infection, seizure, coma, and respiratory failure, etc. Medical records indicate that the child and elder population, and those who already suffer from certain serious illnesses, are more likely to develop severe symptoms after redback spider bites.
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Keep in mind that children and infants usually cannot express the unwellness clearly to adults, and hence are likely to get a wrong diagnosis.
Infants' symptoms of a redback spider bite include the following: crying, incontinence, antifeeding, and skin allergies. Young children may display more sore muscle and cramps symptoms.
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What is the most effective prevention against Redback spider?

Pay attention outdoors
  • Do not leave clothes or hats on the ground or on a tree trunk.
  • When putting the hat back on, check for spiders or cobwebs inside the hat.
  • Clothes, gloves, towels and other tools need to be re-examined before being worn.
  • Don't lean on the trunk at will.
  • Parents should consciously inspect bunkers, toys, helmets, and bicycles that children play.
  • Properly teach daring children not to touch spiders.
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Watch out for vehicles that have been idle for a long time. You should also check carefully before using a vehicle that has been idle for a long time, especially if there are cobwebs in darker corners.
Watch out for the box. Before reaching into the entrance post box, it is advised to lower your head to check the situation inside the box. It can avoid not only black widows and other harmful small animals hiding in it, but also the acts of self-defense when people mistakenly believe that they have been violated.
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Check your shoes. Before putting on the tool boots, turn the boots upside down and pat them. It is also advised to check them against bright light to avoid spiders or other dangerous animals hiding in them. It is effective to drive them out in this way. Shoes that have not been worn for a while should also be checked in this way.
Wear tool gloves. When planting flowers, cutting grass, watering in the garden, wear gloves and boots. Be careful when cleaning up dead branches and rotten leaves.
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Pay attention to dark places. Pay attention to the cobwebs that found in dry, sheltered areas between darkness and light, especially under roofs or in buildings, sheds, and garages.
Watch out for cabinets and beds underneath. When it is necessary to take items from underneath of cabinets or beds, first use the flashlight to observe the situation in the dark. If it is inconvenient to observe, protect the exposed part of your arm with long sleeves and gloves to avoid being bitten. Remove items by long tools instead of directly by hand.
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Living in Australia, you need to pay special attention to the above and similar activities. Be careful even when going to the toilet with strong drowsiness for the reason that Latrodectus hasselti is likely to hide in the toilet circle at this time.
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How to get rid of Redback spider?

Drive it with other items. If there is a redback spider or other spider crawling on your body, it is recommended to use the newspaper, magazine or towel nearby to quickly brush it off or crush it.
Handle properly after being bitten. Please calm down first. Most patients do not need to go to the hospital for treatment. With redness, swelling, and pain, Patients only need to apply ice on the wound and take analgesics. Do not use bandages or other things to wind the wound. Any pressure on the wound may aggravate the pain.
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Mind! If children or the elderly or people with serious diseases (especially heart disease) are bitten, these three groups of people should be treated simply and sent to the hospital directly without observation.
Before the discomfort is eliminated, it is advised to take a full rest. Avoid participating in tiring work and strenuous exercise. During this time it is best to have someone to accompany and observe for several hours. In the case of a more serious situation, they can take you to the hospital.
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If the pain cannot be relieved or symptoms are getting worse, it is advised to see a doctor immediately. The doctor will treat according to the severity of the bite poisoning. It is recommended to collect the biting spider in a container and bring it to the doctor. In this way, accurate first aid measures can be taken more quickly. Because their venom is not life-threatening, anti-venom serums are often used to relieve pain rather than save lives.
Harmful Effects of Redback spider
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Toxic to Humans

Redback spider is known for its potent venom which can be harmful to humans. Adults use fangs to deliver neurotoxins to their prey, a defense mechanism that is also a risk in human encounters. Symptoms from a bite may include pain, sweating, and muscle stiffness. Severe cases can lead to neurological complications, though fatalities are rare with proper medical treatment.

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Toxic to Animals

Redback spider harbors the ability to deliver a sting that ranges from mildly irritating to severely harmful. The creature utilizes this feature mainly for defense or predation, causing pain and potentially an allergic reaction in humans and pets such as dogs and cats. Rodents may also suffer from discomfort or worse after being stung, although the reaction varies across different animals. Only adult redback spider are equipped with this potent defensive mechanism.

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Is the Redback spider Deadly?

Redback spider has potent neurotoxic venom capable of causing fatalities in humans, particularly in vulnerable populations like children and the elderly. Its defense mechanism involves biting when threatened. Although fatalities are rare due to the availability of antivenom and the relatively low volume of venom injected, prompt medical treatment is essential for bite victims.

More Effects of Redback spider

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