FAMILY DIPLURIDAE

Tree Funnel-web Spider - Atrax formidablis
This very large funnel-web spider is found in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland.  The burrow is found in hollow and rotted trees and its entrance is covered by a curtain of dirty web during daylight hours, which is fastened up at night to leave the burrow entrance clear.  The burrow consists of a silken tube in a hole into a tree and may be over 90cm deep. 

description
Body length: male up to 35mm, female up to 65mm.   
Colour: as illustrated
Identification: by photo
Burrow: straight or slightly inclined, no brood shaft present
Food: frogs and longicorn beetles
Dimorphism: male smaller in body and slimmer than the female
 

Atrax Formidabilis - female
 

Sydney Funnel-web Spider - Atrax Robustus
Probably the world's deadliest spider, certainly Australia's, this species has already been responsible for a number of deaths in New South Wales.  The venom of the male is moe toxic than that of the female and being vagrants, the males are more likely to be encountered.  The females seldom venture far from their burrows unless they are disturbed or driven out by flooding.   Once disturbed, these spiders will attack anything, regardless of size and when attacking, will strike repeatedly. 

description
Body length: male up to 25mm, female up to 40mm.   
Colour: as illustrated
Identification: shiny black legs and cephalothorax
Burrow: a silken tube which usually ends in a burrow up to 30cm dep.  The burrow is mostly situated under a log or stone, a crevice in rocks or beside a tree or post - generally in a cool damp site.  Sometimes there is an extended sheet of web to the burrow entrance
Dimorphism: male smaller in body and slimmer than the female
Egg sac: a rectangular, white silken envelope, suspended in the burrow of the female
Eggs 1.4mm in diameter, translucent yellow-green inc olour 90-120 in number
 

Atrax robustus Female with venom on fangs

Atrax robustus female in striking position
 

Hexahele hochstetteri - no common name
This species was originally described from New Zealand in 1871 by Ausserer.  It is fairly common and widespread in New South Wales, usually found well above sea level.

description
Body length: male up to 10mm, female up to 18mm.   
Colour: light dusty brown with lighter chevrons on dorsal surface of abdomen
Identification: By long spinnerets and dorsal pattern
Burrow: A silken tube under stones, logs etc
Food: frogs and longicorn beetles
Dimorphism: male smaller and slimmer than the female
 

Atrax Formidabilis - female