Katipō (pronounced kah-tih-PAW or KAH-tə-poh; Latrodectus katipo) is a species of cobweb spider found only in New Zealand. It is one of many species in the genus Latrodectus and is most closely related to the Australian redback (L. hasseltii). It is venomous to humans, its bite being capable of producing the toxic syndrome latrodectism; symptoms include extreme pain and, potentially, hypertension or seizure. Bites are rare and antivenom is available in some hospitals. The female is 8–10 millimetres (0.31–0.39 in) in length; the male is 4–5 millimetres (0.16–0.20 in).
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it venomous or poisonous?
Venomous. The note covers its whole genus. Widow spiders; latrotoxin Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Latrodectus hasselti — venomous
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Arachnida
- Order
- Araneae
- Family
- Theridiidae
- Genus
- Latrodectus
- Species
- Latrodectus katipo
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