Is the Spotted Ground Spider Poisonous?
The Spotted ground spider (Nyssus coloripes) is a vagrant species that is widely distributed across Australia.
With their sometimes orange front legs and club shaped palps (appendages that sit near the mouth), these spiders have been known to enter houses at night and may give you a fright.
In this article, we cover everything you need to know about the Spotted ground spider and answer the question - is their scary appearance indicative of an even scarier bite?
We also cover spider bites in our general and childcare first aid courses. We have training locations in every state, capital city, and major town throughout Australia. Head to our website to find a first aid course near you today.
Table of Contents
Appearance
The Spotted ground spider can vary dramatically in appearance, which is why they are known by a host of different names, including the Orange legged swift spider and the Spotted ground swift spider.
Their main identifying characteristics include:
- Size ranging from 6 mm to 20 mm
- Dark body colour ranging from reddish to black
- Leg colour ranging from black and white to orange or red
- Two to five pairs of yellow spots on the top of their abdomen - these spots can also range from white to bright orange
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Habitat
Male spotted ground spiders are always on the move hunting or searching for females. They can be found:
- In leaf litter
- Under logs or rocks
- Indoors wandering across the floor
Females, on the other hand, are typically found in or near their burrows, which can be built in the ground and have twigs or leaves arranged around the entrance like a palisade.
Habits
The Spotted ground spider is a hunting spider that ambushes ground dwelling insects.
Females create oval egg sacs that can house roughly 50 eggs.
Danger
Spotted ground spiders are not considered dangerous to humans, as they are timid in the face of conflict and reluctant to bite.
Likewise, their bites generally only cause mild symptoms like a red welt and localised hot feeling.
To treat:
- Calm and reassure the casualty
- Apply a cold compress for periods of up to 20 minutes to reduce any swelling or pain
- Monitor for signs of deterioration or an allergic reaction and seek medical advice as necessary
Final thoughts
To learn more about treating spider bites, head to one of our general or childcare first aid courses.
We have training locations in every state, capital city, and major town throughout Australia.
Head to our website to find a first aid course near you today.
