UK’s most venomous spider discovered in Notts

Wildlife experts have confirmed the country’s most venomous spider has been discovered in Nottinghamshire for the first time.

Staff at Attenborough Nature Centre found a false widow spider on an information board over the weekend but say there is no risk to the public.

Also known as Steatoda nobilis, the spider is originally from the Canary Islands and first appeared on the south coast in 1879 via a shipment of bananas.

It has slowly since crept its way north, first appearing in Leicestershire in 2014.

Wildlife observers had long expected it to appear locally and staff at Attenborough have been searching for it for the last 12 months.

It was finally found on Saturday by Tim Sexton, who works for Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust at Attenborough.

He said: “I only managed to get a quick glimpse at first as it retreated back in to its web, but was certain it was a false widow. After coaxing it out with a piece of vegetation, I managed to get it into a pot to formally identify it.

“The following morning I was able to photograph it and confirm that it was indeed Steatoda nobilis, and in this case was an immature female.”

The discovery was then later supported by checks from local spider recorder Howard Williams and the UK Spider Recording Scheme.

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The spider was found on an information board at the centre. (Picture: Notts Wildlife Trust)

The false widow has been referred to by some experts as the ‘Daily Mail spider’ after reports in some newspapers of people becoming ill after being bitten by them.

Although they do bite, the trust said it is keen to allay people’s fears as they effect is similar to a bee sting and lasts for 12 hours. The venom is not lethal.

Tim added: “False widows are mostly active at night and from my experience, would rather make a hasty retreat than bite you for the sake of it.

“It is unlikely you would ever see one on the reserve during the day, unless you are really looking for it.

“This discovery is another example of how we are currently experiencing a change in our environment as invertebrates, and indeed larger creatures such as birds, are taking advantage of a milder climate to increase their range.”

 

 

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