• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.201-204
• /
• 2001

The Red-Back Spiders (Latrodectus hasselti) were found in all parts of Australia except in the hottest deserts and on the coldest mountains. The spider is now generally recognized as being the same family as the Katipo Spider of New Zealand and the Black Widow Spider of America. This species is the only representative of the genus Latrodectus in Australia. The Red-Back Spider was probably the most common cause of serious spider bites between 1927, when records were first kept, and 1956, when an anti-venom became available. The authors redescribe and figured detailly Red-Back Spider,L. hasselti, which was collected during a field trip of Australia.