Latest news with #iNaturalistNZ
RNZ News
6 days ago
- RNZ News
Critter of the Week: Ranger Dragonfly
Next Thursday is World Ranger Day, and to celebrate this important role and the people doing it, our critter of the week is the endemic ranger dragonfly. Just like human rangers, these ranger dragonflies cover a lot of ground, able to travel over several kilometres Photo: erlandreflingnielsen/iNaturalist NZ
Otago Daily Times
02-07-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Spider with ‘sinister bite' controllable: pest expert
The false widow spider has started to spread across the UK and is thought of as being very dangerous. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES A Dunedin pest control specialist is confident the city has the capability to control the spread of a venomous spider with a "potentially sinister bite". The noble false widow spider has been sighted in Christchurch and Nelson after first being seen in Wellington last December. Massey University evolutionary ecologist Prof Steven Trewick said the spider had now established itself in New Zealand. He said the spider was not aggressive, but might bite in self-defence. Pest Management Association of New Zealand executive councillor Vicki Smith is yet to encountered the spider in the South Island. However, if it made its way further south, the region was well equipped to deal with it, she said. "It'd be easy. It's only like dealing with the white-tails." Ms Smith pointed to another invasive species that appears to be making its way south, which could soon pop up in Dunedin. Although there had not been any reports of the Argentine ant south of Timaru, it was on its way, Ms Smith warned. Prof Trewick said bites from the noble false widow spider would result in mild symptoms such as swelling, redness and pain. However, some had been linked to more serious effects, including tissue necrosis, nausea, hypotension, impaired mobility and secondary bacterial infections that may be resistant to standard antibiotics. "It appears to be thriving in urban environments, particularly around gardens and outdoor furniture," Prof Trewick said. "It is most often found under plant pots, tarpaulin and in fence crevices, while males are seen at night on exterior walls or the ground." Although considered less dangerous than black widows, the venom of the noble false widow (Steatoda nobilis) contained similar toxins. "Particularly concerning is its association with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Infections resulting from bites don't always respond to treatment, and that's a significant medical concern," Prof Trewick said. Originally from the Canary Islands and Madeira, the spider has become well established in Europe, North and South America and now New Zealand. While the full impact of this spider on native wildlife was yet to be fully understood, its arrival reflected broader global patterns, Prof Trewick said. "This is part of a wider pattern of biodiversity loss and rapid environmental change. Invasive species like this one highlight how globalisation and climate shifts are reshaping our ecosystems, often at the expense of native wildlife." Suspected sightings of this spider can be uploaded to iNaturalist NZ to help researchers record the extent of the invasion.
Otago Daily Times
01-07-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
'Potentially sinister' spider spreads into South Island
The noble false widow spider has officially established itself in New Zealand. Photo: Massey University Researchers are warning about the spread of a venomous spider with a "potentially sinister bite" which has officially established itself in New Zealand. The noble false widow spider has been sighted in Christchurch and Nelson after first being seen in Wellington last December. Professor Steven Trewick, an evolutionary ecologist at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, said the spider was not aggressive but may bite in self-defence. "Most bites result in mild symptoms such as swelling, redness and pain. "However, some have been linked to more serious effects including tissue necrosis, nausea, hypotension, impaired mobility and secondary bacterial infections that may be resistant to standard antibiotics." The invasive arachnid has been dubbed 'Britain's most dangerous spider' after a bite left a man struggling to walk. Prof Trewick led efforts to confirm the spider's identity by comparing its physical features and analysing DNA from a sample collected in Porirua. Since the initial Porirua sighting, the spider has also been confirmed in Christchurch, Nelson, Northland and Waikato. "It appears to be thriving in urban environments, particularly around gardens and outdoor furniture. "It is most often found under plant pots, tarpaulin and in fence crevices, while males are seen at night on exterior walls or the ground." Although considered less dangerous than black widows, the venom of the noble false widow (Steatoda nobilis) contained similar toxins. "Particularly concerning is its association with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Infections resulting from bites don't always respond to treatment, and that's a significant medical concern,' Professor Trewick said. Pest Management Association of New Zealand executive councillor Vicki Smith is yet to encounter the spider in the South Island. However, if it made its way even further south, they are well equipped to deal with it, she said. "It'd be easy. "It's only like dealing with the white-tails." Ms Smith pointed to another invasive species that appears to be making its way south, which could soon pop up in Dunedin. Although there had not been any reports of the Argentine ant south of Timaru, it was on its way, Ms Smith warned. Originally from the Canary Islands and Madeira, the spider has become well established in Europe, North and South America and now New Zealand. While the full impact of this spider on native wildlife was yet to be fully understood, Professor Trewick says its arrival reflected broader global patterns. 'This is part of a wider pattern of biodiversity loss and rapid environmental change. Invasive species like this one highlight how globalisation and climate shifts are reshaping our ecosystems, often at the expense of native wildlife.' Suspected sightings of this spider can be freely uploaded to iNaturalist NZ and help researchers discover the extent of the invasion. - APL
RNZ News
01-07-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
New venomous spider makes New Zealand home
The oble false widow spider. Photo: Supplied / Massey University A new venomous spider has officially made New Zealand home. The noble false widow spider is one of the world's most invasive arachnids. It was first seen last year in Porirua, and has since been spotted in Christchurch, Nelson, Waikato and Northland. While bites are rare, infections from their bites don't always respond well to treatment. Researchers say it appears to be thriving in urban environments, particularly around gardens and outdoor furniture. It's most often found under pot plants, tarpaulin and in fence crevices. Male spiders can be seen at night on exterior walls or the ground. The noble false widow spider. Photo: Supplied / Massey University Massey University evolutionary ecologist Steven Trewick says its association with antibiotic-resistant bacteria is particularly concerning. "Although considered less dangerous than black widows, the venom of Steatoda nobilis contains similar toxins." It's not an aggressive spider, but it will bite in defence. Symptoms of a bite include swelling, redness and pain. Though some spider bites have been linked to tissue necrosis, nausea, hypotension, impaired mobility and secondary bacterial infections that may be resistant to standard antibiotics. Researchers are asking people to upload suspected sightings of this spider to iNaturalist NZ to help them discover the extent of the invasion.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Venomous noble false widow spider confirmed established in New Zealand
Venomous noble false widow spider now present across New Zealand The noble false widow spider ( Steatoda nobilis ), one of the world's most invasive arachnids, has officially established itself in New Zealand. First confirmed in Porirua in November 2024, the species has since been recorded in Christchurch, Nelson, Northland, and Waikato, indicating widespread urban colonization. The spider, originally native to the Canary Islands and Madeira, has previously spread to Europe and both North and South America. According to experts, it now appears to thrive in New Zealand's urban environments. It is commonly found in gardens, around outdoor furniture, and particularly beneath plant pots, tarpaulin, and in fence crevices. Males are typically observed at night on exterior walls or at ground level. Also read: Health emergency: Dengue fever outbreak declared in Rarotonga, New Zealand Professor Steven Trewick, an evolutionary ecologist at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, led the confirmation effort. He compared physical features of collected specimens and conducted DNA analysis on a sample obtained in Porirua by Gavin Picknell. Live Events 'Although considered less dangerous than black widows, the venom of Steatoda nobilis contains similar toxins,' said Trewick. 'Particularly concerning is its association with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Infections resulting from bites don't always respond to treatment, and that's a significant medical concern.' Medical risks linked to noble false widow spider bites The noble false widow spider is venomous but not generally considered aggressive. Bites typically occur in self-defense and may cause localized symptoms including redness, swelling, and pain. However, more serious medical effects have been documented in some cases. A spokesperson from Massey University reported that some bite incidents have resulted in tissue necrosis, nausea, hypotension, impaired mobility, and secondary bacterial infections. Notably, some of these infections may be resistant to standard antibiotics, raising concerns within the medical community. Also read: China facing new Covid-like pandemic? Here's everything we know about it so far The spider's venom contains neurotoxins similar to those found in black widow species, although typically less potent. Nonetheless, its presence in populated regions and proximity to human activity has prompted health and ecological monitoring. Citizen reports aid research into Steatoda nobilis spread Researchers encourage the public to participate in tracking the spread of Steatoda nobilis through the iNaturalist NZ platform. Suspected sightings can be uploaded with photos, enabling scientists to better understand the range and behavior of this invasive, venomous spider . Ongoing monitoring will help assess the long-term ecological and public health implications of the noble false widow spider's establishment in New Zealand.
