Brush-footed trapdoor

Fact Box Species: Idiommata iridescens (RM) or a closely related species Previous species name: Lampropodus iridescens Family: Barychelidae Body length: female: 33 mm male: 24 mm Habitat: In a burrow (except adult males) Toxicity: May be significantly toxic to humans

This species appears to be rare but widely found in the Toowoomba region although it is quite common further north. Its body is a reasonably uniform black colour and the presence of claw tufts and iridescent tarsal brushes on its legs is distinctive. Not too much is known of its natural history, but the burrow is said to be fitted with an inwards opening door.

The males of this species wander above ground after rain in Autumn and early Winter and should be treated this as potentially dangerous since the few tests that have been done on the venom of this species suggest it may have a toxicity similar to that of funnel-web and mouse spiders.

Spider(s) with a similar appearance: Aganippe berlandi, Aname species, Hadronyche infensa, Namea salanitri, and Paraembolides boycei.