little monster

[Mr Ed]

Insect bites UK -

 

UK Spider Bites

Introduction

 

Spider bites are less common generally than wasp, bee and and ant stings although strictly speaking a spider does not sting (by introducing venom through a redundant ovipositor) but bites. However, venom most definitely is injected into the victim through fangs (or teeth like instruments) and accordingly the introduction of venom means that we can reasonably accept that this is a similar type of event to a wasp or bee sting.

 

In the UK there are 14 native spiders that bite and these have been recored by the Natural History Museum as follows:

 

Tube web spider

False widow spider

Woodlouse spider

Walnut orb-weaver spider

False widow or cellar spider

Lace weaver spider

Black lace weaver spider

Mouse spider

Rustic wolf spider

Bark sac spider

Stone spider

Cross or garden spider

Bruennichi's Argiope

Money spider

All of the above have bites that lead to reddening and swelling but to my knowledge there have been no deaths arising from UK spider bites and no life threatening allergic reactions either.

 

[Saw-sick Steve]

You'll start seeing loads of spiders about because I think this is the time of year they start moving about scouting for partners

Spot on matey.The one in the photo looks like a Tegenaria spp. ,or common house spider male, and thats exactly what he's doing. Males tend to have longer legs and palps (the little appendages near the jaws) while the females have bigger abdomens (asses!) and less hair- draw yer own conclusions.

About this time of year the males set off to do what males do,and seek out the more sedentary females - hence why the males all look under-weight,having one track minds:thumbup1: I've removed dozens over the years and never been bitten - only got bitten by an Orb spider when i was a kid, and that was my fault. Oz, on the other hand, i could bore for hours on spider stories. Nearly crashed my ute one morning when a Hunstman dropped from the sun visor into my lap whilst doing about 70m.p.h.

[White Noise]

not a fan of them either, but i used to enjoy watching the 1 in the mog catching flies

 

We have a small spider in the Landy .

[Billy]

Nearly crashed my ute one morning when a Hunstman dropped from the sun visor into my lap whilst doing about 70m.p.h.

How did you get out of that one? I feel kinda silly for nearly crashing my van when a wasp appeared one morning now haha.