AoTW: The False Widow Integration

The not quite 'killer' spider

 

This weeks animal of the week feature is a slightly different layout to the usual. I am focusing on a species that I was inspired to write about when someone I know posted a suspected sighting of one in their house. This creature and it's eight legged relatives are responsible for causing some degree of fear in 50% of women and 10% of me in the UK.  I am of course referring to arachnophobia. I used to be arachnophobic myself, although in the past year I have become a lot more tolerant of spiders and they don't freak me out as much. Although I feared them I have always respected them, they are marvelous animals if given a chance, so many variations and so many great case studies.

However, one of the most interesting in my eyes is the false widow spider in the UK. Their name derives from the fact that they are often misidentified as black widow spiders. Although the 2 are part of the same family, they are a different genus and very different spiders. Last year (2013) the media erupted with reports of an apparent 'invasion' of these spiders, when in fact out of the seven species recorded in the UK, 4 are native and only 2 have been accidentally introduced. The media did a good job of building myth around this spider through the use of scare tactics in news reports.

Chris Leather, 2013

The particular individual that has caused the stir is Steatoda nobilis, they have been recorded in England since 1879, along the southern coast. It is only in the last few years that their distribution has become more widespread, with populations moving away from coastal areas into inland regions.

Distribution Map for the false widow in the UK

The UK's most venomous spider

 

The false widow spider is the UK's most venomous spider. Nobody has died from being bitten in the UK though. It is typically the larger females that bite, rather than males which are considerably smaller. Whilst capable of inflicting a painful bite the chances of actually being bitten are exceedingly rare; you are more likely to be stung by a bee or wasp.  Getting bitten is associated to handling without due care, thus it is recommended that you DO NOT attempt to handle this spider, as doing so will increase the risk of being bitten considerably. Besides this, handling the spider could actually damage it, behind the bite is a delicate arachnid.  Mark Champion from the Wildlife Trust explained the bite of the false widow to the BBC as part of a 'debunking myth' article:

"The bite it gives is mainly defensive, so it's not coming to get you, it's not a horror movie... It is no stronger than a wasp sting... The swelling can become the size of a tennis ball. It can be something quite a big but it's not something we all need to panic about."

The bottom line consensus is that these spiders are not an aggressive species. As the climate changes, these spiders are thought that populations will continue to grow as conditions become more favourable for them. Besides, if Australia can survive when every living organism that lives there is out to kill you I'm sure with a little bit of understanding we can continue to live in peace alongside this 7mm spider. 

It is important though not to become complacent of this spider, do not ignore it or brush it aside. Be wary of it, learn to identify it and avoid handling them to save yourself a lot of discomfort from being bitten. If you do get bitten though seek out your local GP for advice! Online, there are also a number of arachnid trusts and organisations which can give you the relevant information if you are worried about this species. The false widow spider is here to stay, you don't have to like it being here but awareness of the species can go a long way.

Identification

 

The false widow spider is a relativity small species, and ranges from 7-14mm. They have a large abdomen and are dark brown in colour. They have a glossy appearance, with a white pattern covering the topside of their abdomen. This pattern can either be well pronounced as in the picture below or can be less pronounced. They can be generally found in dry and undisturbed environments, like sheds and outbuildings, although they will venture into houses and other structures should conditions favour them. They are typically active during the night and remain static or hidden during the day. They do not make nests or webs and if one is found it is likely that another is in close proximity.

British Arachnological Trust, 2014

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