
In the shadowy depths of Australia’s forests and urban landscapes lurks a creature that strikes fear into the hearts of many – the notorious funnel-web spider. With its sleek, glossy exterior and venom potent enough to send shivers down the bravest spine, this arachnid has earned its place as Australia’s and possibly the world’s deadliest spider.
Funnel webs are closely allied with trapdoors and tarantulas. There are 36 species of Australian funnel-web spiders. The most commonly known and encountered species is the Sydney Funnel-web (Atrax robustus) because its location overlaps with the major population base of NSW. In southeast Queensland, there are six species of funnel-web spiders:
- Northern Tree/Northern Rivers Funnel-web (Hadronyche formidabilis).
- Lamington Funnel-web (Hadronyche lamingtonensis).
- Border Ranges Funnel-web (Hadronyche valida)
These above three species occur in rainforests of southern SEQ such as at Lamington, Mount Tamborine and Lower Beechmont.
- Toowoomba Funnel-web (Hadronyche infensa), which is found across SEQ and the Darling Downs. It is the most commonly encountered funnel-web in Brisbane.
- Hadronyche monteithi, which occurs in the Killarney region.
- Hadronyche raveni, which occurs in the Conondale Ranges.

The Sydney Funnel-web spider venom is high in neurotoxins and an effective bite can kill an adult in an hour. University of Queensland researchers are studying the Long-toothed K’gari Funnel-web, which is currently classified as the same species as the Toowoomba Funnel-web. However, due to its isolation on an island, it may actually be genetically different. The Long-toothed K’gari Funnel-web venom is potentially up to six times more powerful than the Sydney funnel web.
This concurs with a personal communication I had with Dr Ron Atkinson from University of Southern Queensland back in the 1990s where he indicated that his research was showing that the Toowoomba Funnel-web venom was equally, if not more, toxic than the Sydney Funnel-web.
That said, the antivenom which is based on the Sydney Funnel-web, works as well for Hadronyche envenomation. No one has died from a funnel-web bite since the development of the antivenom in the early 1980s. The male and female venom is of equal toxicity, but the venom is more toxic in summer after they finish their overwintering fast and when the males are out searching for a female.
First aid for a funnel-web bite is a pressure bandage, same as for a snake bite treatment, and, of course, seek immediate medical assistance.
Photos from top:
1 & 2. A female funnel-web. Females are quite large in size – up to 5cm across, with males generally being smaller. Female funnel-webs are long-lived spiders – up to 20 years. The females live in burrows in the ground in cool, moist habitats usually under logs, rocks or other ground-based shelters. It should be noted that there is an exception to this – the Northern Tree Funnel-web lives in rotting wood and holes in trees, up to 30m off the ground.
3. An old car tyre lying on the ground was the perfect spot for this family of funnel-webs to live. There were seven nests under this tyre (unfortunately it was in my horse obstacle course!).
4. Female funnel-webs can have multiple entrances to their burrows, all with trip lines extending out. I have personally observed burrows with three or more entrances.
Article and photos by Sandy Robertson
Land for Wildlife Officer
Contractor to Toowoomba Regional Council