New Zealand Katipo Spider vs Nebrioporus Water Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | New Zealand Katipo Spider | Nebrioporus Water Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Latrodectus katipo | Nebrioporus nipponicus |
| Order | Araneae | Coleoptera |
| Family | Theridiidae | Dytiscidae |
| Size | 6-10 mm body | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Mountains |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand) | East Asia, Japan |
| Conservation | Endangered | Least Concern |
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.
Nebrioporus Water Beetle
A small diving beetle endemic to Japan found in clean mountain streams. Part of a genus that prefers running water over still pools. An indicator species for unpolluted waterways.
Did You Know?
This beetle carries a bubble of air under its wing covers when diving, which it uses to breathe underwater like a built-in scuba tank.