Common name : Cupboard spider, False katipo (New Zealand)
Scientific name : Steatoda capensis
Family : Theridiidae
Native to : South Africa
Interesting fact : The bite of the false katipo spider is said to be extremely painful in humans. Weirdly it can cause depression for an entire day.
Very similar in size and shape to the Katipo spider of New Zealand, ever since this spider was introduced to Australia and New Zealand, it has earned the name False Katipo Spider. They prefer dark places like the underside of logs, etc. to create their web. Their diet includes small crawling insects which they manage to catch. If it is disturbed, this spider curls up and plays dead!
