T.E.R:R.A.I.N - Taranaki Educational Resource: Research, Analysis and Information Network

Spider (Banded Tunnelweb)(Hexathele hochstetteri

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda 
Order: Araneae 
Suborder: Mygalomorphae 
Infraorder: Tuberculotae 
Family: Hexathelidae 
Genus: Hexathele 
Species: H. hochstetteri 
Binomial name: Hexathele hochstetteri
Common name: Banded Tunnel Web

A large, bulky and a very fast New Zealand spider with a body length 25 mm. This spider is endemic to northern New Zealand. It forms a silk–lined tunnel usually under the loose bark of fallen trees or in any suitable hole.. Threads of silk extend from the entrance of the tunnel to act as trip lines. They captures insects that knock into the trip lines. They eats any insects, including large ground beetles. Despite its impressive size it is shy, and there are no records of these spiders causing bite problems in humans.

Close up of a Hexathele hochstetteri head showing fangs and palps. The palps in the front are used for sensory purposes. In the male the palps are modified for putting sperm into the epigyne of the female, that is situated on the underside of the abdomen. The jaws are located below the eyes and are called chelicera. The piercing parts of these jaws are the fangs that deliver the venom via a small hole at its tip.