Hawaiian Happy-face Spider vs New Zealand Katipo Spider
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hawaiian Happy-face Spider | New Zealand Katipo Spider |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Theridion grallator | Latrodectus katipo |
| Order | Araneae | Araneae |
| Family | Theridiidae | Theridiidae |
| Size | 5 mm body length | 6-10 mm body |
| Habitat | Forests | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Hawaii | Oceania (New Zealand) |
| Conservation | Endangered | Endangered |
Hawaiian Happy-face Spider
A tiny Hawaiian spider with markings on its abdomen that resemble a smiling face. It is endemic to the rainforests of four Hawaiian islands.
Did You Know?
The smiley-face pattern is thought to confuse predators by disrupting recognition of the spider shape.
New Zealand Katipo Spider
New Zealand's most venomous spider, found only on coastal sand dunes. Although an arachnid, it is one of New Zealand's most iconic invertebrates. The name katipo means night stinger in Maori. It is now critically rare due to habitat loss.
Did You Know?
Despite being closely related to the black widow and redback spiders, no human deaths from katipo bites have been recorded in New Zealand.