A local teenager has found a redback spider - a poisonous Australian species - under a rock at Timaru Creek.

The Ministry for Primary Industries plant health and environment laboratory confirmed the specimen as being Latrodectus hasselti - a female redback spider.

“Redbacks are considered to be established in New Zealand and have been recorded here since the 1980s,” the lab said

“Populations are known from Central Otago and New Plymouth, and there have been redbacks reported from several other locations in both the North and South Islands.”

The redback found at Timaru Creek.

The bite of the redback spider is said to be very painful and can be fatal if anti venom is not available. However, it has been over 40 years since a redback has caused a death in its native Australia.

The distinguishing marks on redback spiders are two bright red triangles facing each other like an hour-glass shape underneath the abdomen.

If you find a redback spider report it to MPI Biosecurity.

PHOTOS: Supplied