Huntsman (Delena cancerides) family Sparassidae (Araneae)
The social huntsman or flat huntsman spider is native to Australia
Was introduced to other parts of world. New Zealand in the 1920’s, known as the Avondale spider regularly found in the suburb of Auckland
Small spiders in Arachnophobia film thriller 1990
First spider seen on Peter Parkers school trip in the 2002 Spider- Man
They have eight eyes, two forward facing rows of four, on the front of its head.
Social- Species in only two genera of social Arachne that have no (snare)webs, nests under tree bark or rocks, garages, sheds, groups of females with young.
Leaves nest to forage for insects and other invertebrae, sometimes small skinks
In laboratory seen sharing feeding and capturing prey
Colonies of up to 300 under bark of acacia or casuarina trees.
Can inflict bite –venom in prey- not regarded as dangerous to humans
