The venomous menace from Madeira

False widows can be confused with black widows, having similar colour and shape.

First seen in Britain in the 1870s, they probably came on ships from Madeira or the Canaries. They have spread widely since the 1980s.

Their bites are usually no worse than a wasp sting, but the pain can last for up to 12 hours. They build webs at least 5ft off the ground to catch flying insects. In homes they prefer to live in kitchens and conservatories. They tend to bite only when provoked or trapped against skin.