In recent years, small numbers of Australian redback spiders (Latrodectus hasselti) have been seen in drier areas of New Zealand. It lives mainly in dry, sheltered places, often in outbuildings. The redback has a nasty bite, and a dozen or so deaths were recorded in Australia before the introduction of a specific antivenom in 1956. If someone is bitten, no first aid should be used as this may increase the pain. The best action is to take the victim immediately to a medical specialist.
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by Robert Raven
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10 November 2010