Genus Lampona

This is a brief overview of information on Australian white tailed spiders, based on information on the main Clinical Toxinology Resources Website. For more detail and up-to-date information on white tailed spiders, covered at species level, search for "spiderbite" in the First Aid menu, or search for specific information on white tailed spiders in the Spiders - Search menu, using either "white tailed spider" in the common name field or select "Lampona" in the Genus field. The information on this page will not be regularly updated, because regular updated information can be obtained from the main toxinology website, listed above.

Taxonomy of white tailed spiders

There are currently many species listed for the Genus Lampona. Platnick (2000) has re-arranged and split the Genus into at least 8 groups. As the clinical significance of these and the sympatry of some are currently unclear, we have restricted discussion of clinical features on this website to only two species, L. cylindrata and L. murina, previously synonymised with L. cylindrata. Only one is considered as a significant cause of bites:

White tailed spider, Lampona cylindrata

For more detailed information on white tailed spiders, including distribution maps and photos, use the Clinical Toxinology Resources Website at www.toxinology.com and search for specific information on white tailed spiders in the Spiders - Search menu, using either "white tailed spider" in the common name field or select "Lampona" in the Genus field.

Distribution of white tailed spiders

White tailed spiders are common throughout much of Australia, including Tasmania and have spread elsewhere, including New Zealand. They are common hunting spiders, frequently found in houses.

Venom of white tailed spiders

Spider venoms are generally complex mixtures of substances, often with one or more key components which cause most clinical effects in humans.

However, studies so far on white tailed spider venom have not found major components likely to cause great harm to humans. In particular, no components causing significant skin damage have been found.

For more up-to-date information on white tailed spiders use the Clinical Toxinology Resources Website at www.toxinology.com and search for specific information on white tailed spiders in the Spiders - Search menu, using either "white tailed spider" in the common name field or select "Lampona" in the Genus field.

Clinical effects of white tailed spider bites

White tailed spiders have only weak venom and cannot cause major envenoming (envenomation) of humans. They are probably a common cause of Spiderbites in Australia, but do not appear to cause major harmful effects. In particular, despite a common belief they can cause skin damage and ulcers, there is no good scientific evidence to support this and bites generally cause only mild local effects. The bite is usually felt and is painful, sometimes very painful for a short time, but pain is not long lasting. A local lump may form at the bite site, but this resolves over hours to a few days. Secondary infection of the bite site is possible, but is rare. Ulcers do not develop. Recent large case series have been published confirming that white tailed spiders are not a cause of "necrotic arachnidism" and chronic skin ulcers.

For more and up-to-date information on white tailed spider bite use the Clinical Toxinology Resources Website at www.toxinology.com and search for specific information on white tailed spiders in the Spiders - Search menu, using either "white tailed spider" in the common name field or select "Lampona" in the Genus field.

First aid treatment

First aid for white tailed spider bite is the same as for other Australian Spiderbites and is based on simple wound care. Pressure immobilisation bandaging is not required.

For details of the method, use the Clinical Toxinology Resources Website at www.toxinology.com and search for "spiderbite" in the First Aid menu, or search for specific information on white tailed spiders in the Spiders - Search menu, using either "white tailed spider" in the common name field or select "Lampona" in the Genus field.

Medical treatment of white tailed spider bite

In general, white tailed spiderbites do not require medical treatment. The bite site should be cleaned with disinfectant, as for any other wound. If pain is significant, give an oral pain killing drug. Only if the pain persists, the patient becomes generally unwell or the bite area develops blisters or becomes discoloured should medical attention be sought.

For further overview information, use the Clinical Toxinology Resources Website at www.toxinology.com and search for specific information on white tailed spiders in the Spiders - Search menu, using either "white tailed spider" in the common name field or select "Lampona" in the genus field. Treatment information will be listed near the bottom of the page.

For detailed information on medical treatment on the Clinical Toxinology Resources Website you need to access the subscriber-only area, but substantial information, is also available in the online version of the CSL Antivenom Handbook, also available on this site. There is no antivenom available for white tailed spider bite, nor is an antivenom needed.