Huntsman Spiders Spotted in Napier: Are They Here to Stay?

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Huntsman spiders appear to be settling down in Napier's Pandora suburb, with two sightings reported just nine months apart.

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These giant Australian arachnids have actually been New Zealand residents since 1924, first arriving on imported wood used for railway sleepers

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With legs stretched out, the Avondale Huntsman can measure a jaw-dropping 20cm across, while its Christchurch cousin exceeds 15cm.

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Despite their terrifying appearance, these speedy hunters rarely bite humans and pose "only a minor inconvenience" if they do.

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Climate change is helping these Aussie invaders spread further south as New Zealand's temperatures rise.

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Ministry officials have identified the Napier specimen as Isopeda villosa, confirming it poses no biosecurity threat to the country.

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Spider hiding spots, nocturnal spider, spider in home, wall crevice, cockroach hunter

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Unlike web-spinning spiders, Huntsmans are ambush predators that sit motionless before rushing their prey and sucking out the juices.

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