False fear of widow spiders
NOBLE False Widow spiders, which invade by hitching a ride in suitcases and camper vans, have migrated to the north of England.
The spider, native to Madeira and the Canary Islands, has been present in the south of England for more than 100 years.
But it has recently started to appear in the north, as well as in new locations in countries around the globe. Scientists say the Steatoda nobilis spider, which resembles a black widow, is spreading rapidly across the globe and threatening native wildlife species.
Experts at the University of Manchester say the spiders may have used suitcases, bags and camper vans to ‘hitch’ a ride over to the UK from the continent. “We don’t have concrete evidence but that’s a suspicion,” Professor Rainer Breitling says.
The biologist adds: “We think that it’s likely that these animals get about by hitching a lift on the back of the ornamental plant trade or tourism, rather than banana imports.
The spread to Britain and Ireland has caused panic when false widows have been found in large numbers in schools and other public spaces.
But Prof Breitling believes the panic is unfounded. “Although its bite can be very painful, comparable to a severe bee or wasp sting, there are no confirmed cases of serious medical consequences,” he said.