False widow spider

Scientists have issued a warning on noble false widow spiders after a 15-week-old baby was bitten by one and taken to A&E in Ireland.

If little venom is available, they avoid large opponents that could injure them, and instead focus on small prey, according to the study by a team of National University of Ireland, Galway researchers. [Terms of use,](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/user-policies-a6184151.html) [Cookie policy](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/cookie-policy-a6184186.html) and [Privacy notice.](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/privacy-policy-a6184181.html) Ms Dennelly said she had been in touch with the researchers following her son’s bite. [Privacy policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en) and [Terms of service](https://policies.google.com/terms?hl=en) apply. [published](https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/14/9/587) in the journal Toxins - investigated the potency of the false widow spider’s venom in a bid to understand why it is so successful at spreading in towns and cities throughout the world. By clicking ‘Register’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our

A team of scientists at National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) found that not only is the venom much more potent than that of any common northern ...

In recent decades it has spread to Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Originating from Madeira and the Canary Islands, the noble false widow spider (Steatoda nobilis) has the potential to become one of the world’s most invasive species of spider. Noble false widow spiders are up to 230 times more poisonous than native species in Irish homes, a study has shown.

An NUI Galways study suggests the noble false widow spider has a far more potent venom than native Irish species and can adapt in battles.

In a battle, the spider was shown to target specific body parts of its enemy where the neurotoxic venom is most efficient, such as the head. “Each new study brings us closer to understanding how exactly they are achieving their success.” The researchers said this also explains how the spider can tackle much larger creatures such as bats and lizards. If little venom is available, they avoid facing large opponents that could injure them and focus on small prey instead. Over the course of the study, the noble false widow spider killed and ate 95pc of its opponents. Originating from Madeira and the Canary Islands, the researchers said the noble false widow spider has the potential to become one of the world’s most invasive species of spider.

New research has revealed how false widow spiders are up to 230 times more poisonous than domestic Irish species, which helps explain how it tackles much ...

Although Charlie received great medical care from his GP and the hospital, the guidelines just aren't there to deal with False Widow bites at the moment," she said. Then I stripped off his top and as I did so a big Noble False Widow crawled out from behind his ear." "It was really harrowing experience for Charlie and myself. Originating from Madeira and the Canary Islands, the Noble False Widow spider was first reported in southern England in 1879 and in recent decades has increased its range and population density. That gives them a competitive advantage because they are more toxic. “Essentially they have a chemical arsenal that is a lot stronger than native spiders.

Sarah Jane Dennehy's baby son Charlie was enjoying playing with toys at their home in Shangarry, Cork, when he began screaming hysterically after he was ...

Speaking on the research findings, co-author of the study, Dr John Dunbar said that the False Widow had the ability to become the world's most invasive spider species. The study, from NUI Galway, found that the false widow was up to 230 times more venomous than native spider species and it has learned to adapt to its new environment. The spider was able to kill and eat 95 per cent of its opponents, including shrews and even bats, raising fears as its population continues to boom. There, baby Charlie was given more pain relief - but it took the agony of the spider bites 11 hours to wear off. She managed to capture the spider immediately and took it, with her son, to the GP. [mum](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/parenting) has told-all on the traumatic ordeal that saw her 15-week old son bitten by a [false widow spider](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/false-widow-spiders) and spend hours in agony.

Scientists have issued a warning on noble false widow spiders after a 15-week-old baby was bitten by one and taken to A&E in Ireland.

If little venom is available, they avoid large opponents that could injure them, and instead focus on small prey, according to the study by a team of National University of Ireland, Galway researchers. [Terms of use,](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/user-policies-a6184151.html) [Cookie policy](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/cookie-policy-a6184186.html) and [Privacy notice.](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/privacy-policy-a6184181.html) Ms Dennelly said she had been in touch with the researchers following her son’s bite. [Privacy policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en) and [Terms of service](https://policies.google.com/terms?hl=en) apply. [published](https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/14/9/587) in the journal Toxins - investigated the potency of the false widow spider’s venom in a bid to understand why it is so successful at spreading in towns and cities throughout the world. By clicking ‘Register’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our

It is thought to have a bite around the same power as a wasp sting, however, there have been bad reactions to its venom. Undated NUI Galway handout photo of ...

The front section of a noble false widow’s “body is dark brown, as are the legs. - To try and minimise swelling by using a cold compress (do not place ice directly on the skin as this may burn). This is to prevent infection which will be infinitely worse than the bite. The dark stripes on their legs are more visible than in the other false widow species.” As is usual with false widow species though, this is clearer in males, but fainter, partial or missing in females. Both sexes have a lighter crescent on the front of the abdomen, but this is often absent too. However, all of these marks can be variable, faded, or missing, especially in adult females,” according to the In even rarer cases, the bite may cause a person to feel unwell for a short time.” The spiders are not aggressive towards people, and generally don’t bite unless roughly handled; most recorded bites occur because of people accidentally touching a spider which then reacts defensively. The other two species are both native to the UK. Only the two larger species of false widow, the cupboard spider and the noble false widow, are likely to be able to bite through human skin at all. Noble false widows are not native to the UK, but are thought to have arrived from the Canary Islands in banana boxes in the late 1800s.