a small venomous spider of NewZealand and Australia. The name is Maori. The scientific nameis Latrodectus scelio, Thorel.In New Zealand, it isgenerally found on the beach under old driftwood; but inAustralia it is found widely scattered over the Continent, andalways frequents dark sheltered spots. The derivation may befrom Kakati, verb, to sting, and po, night.Compare Kakapo. It is a dark-coloured spider, with abright red or yellowish stripe.
1867. F. Hochstetter, `New Zealand,' p. 440:
«A small black spider with a red stripe on its back, which they[the natives of New Zealand] call katipo or katepo.»
1870. Sir W. Buller, before Wellington Philosophical Society,quoted in `The Katipo,' Jan. 1, 1892, p. 2:
«I have satisfied myself that in common with many othervenomous creatures it (the katipo) only asserts its dreadedpower as a means of defence, or when greatly irritated,for I have observed that on being touched with the finger itinstantly folds its legs, rolls over on its back, and simulatesdeath, remaining perfectly motionless till further molested,when it attempts to escape, only using its fangs as the dernierressort.»
1890. C. Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals, p. 39:
«Another spider ( Lathrodectus scelio), which is verycommon here and everywhere in Queensland, is very dangerouseven to men. It is a small black animal, of the size of ourhouse-spider, with a brilliant scarlet mark on its back.»
1891. C. Frost, `Victorian Naturalist,' p. 140:
«I also determined, should opportunity occur, to make somefurther experiments with the black and red spider Latrodectus scelio . . . I found suspended in the webof one of this species a small lizard . . . which doubtless hadbeen killed by its bite.»
1892. Jan. 1, `The Katipo,' a Journal of Events in connectionwith the New Zealand Post Office and Telegraph Services. Onp. 2 of the first number the Editor says:
«If hard words could break bones, the present lot of theproprietors of `The Katipo' would be a sorry one. From certainquarters invectives of the most virulent type have been hurledupon them in connection with the title now bestowed upon thepublication – – the main objections expressed cover contentionsthat the journal's prototype is a `repulsive,' `vindictive,'and `death-dealing reptile,' `inimical to man,' etc. ; and soon, ad infinitum.»
[The pictorial heading of each number is a katipo's web,suggestive of the reticulation of telegraph wires, concerningwhich page 3 of the first number says: «The Katipo spider andweb extends its threads as a groundwork for unity of theservices.» ]
1895. H. R. Hogq, `Horne Expedition in Central Australia,Zoology, p. 322:
«This spider, popularly known as the red streaked spider, isfound all over Victoria and New South Wales, and is recordedfrom Rockhampton and Bowen on the Queensland Coast, and fromthe North Island of New Zealand, where it is known by theMaoris as the Katipo.»