News of the "Andersons Bay spider" reached the University of Otago zoology department this time last year and staff were baffled as to what it might be.
Research assistant Stefan Porter said homeowners contacted as part of the Dunedin Garden Study made a point of mentioning they had the Andersons Bay spider in their gardens.
However, once the study was under way, it was revealed to be a black tunnel web (Porrhothele antipodiana) which was "widely distributed across New Zealand".
While it turned out to be common, it did appear to be concentrated in the Andersons Bay area as it was not discovered elsewhere during the study.
Mr Porter was unsure why that was, but thought it may have migrated from the Otago Peninsula.
The "big, hairy, scary spider" had become somewhat of an "urban myth" because of its concentration, he said.
"Socially, it's very interesting."
Andersons Bay resident Robyn Parker had lived in the area for about 37 years and remembered them being mentioned about 25 years ago.
Locally, they were known as the Andy Bay trapdoor, she said.
She believed the area may have laid claim to the spider after conversations with people living elsewhere in the city left people believing it only inhabited Andersons Bay.
The black tunnel web was not poisonous to humans, but was known to kill snails and mice.
It was normally found under rocks or logs, inside a silken tunnel, during spring and summer.
Its body grew to about 24mm in length.
If you have seen a black tunnel web or have a bug or animal you believe only inhabits your area, contact: ellie.constantine@odt.co.nz
