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5. Noble False Widow Spider Ev No need to fear Life history an Jones Why the name? The Noble False Widow spider became suddenly notorious thanks to Adult males are usually found wildly inaccurate claims in the media in 2013. Although present on the ‘Noble’ perhaps between July and November. south coast of England for over a century, its more recent spread because it’s the Adult females can be found northwards caught the public’s imagination. Media reports at that time largest and most throughout the year but Female False Widow spider in web described ‘plagues’,‘tides’ and influxes of ‘killer spiders’ ‘invading’ handsomely marked numbers generally peak at the Britain, and attributed many horrific wounds to their bites. It’s true it is of Britain’s three false same time as the males. Males in the same family as the notorious black widow spiders (Latrodectus widow species. ‘False are thought to live for only one Spider bites? Widow’ because it’s species), common across the world in hotter climates, but the species year and die after mating but Although the Noble False Widow does have a more toxic bite in Britain poses virtually no threat to us or our domestic animals. a distant cousin of females take two years to the Black Widow but than any native British spider, there are very few confirmed Here are the facts behind the headlines. become adult and may survive cases of them biting and none of serious injury as a direct has nothing like its for a third year. Eggs are laid in You’ll see it’s suffered a very bad press. ‘fire-power’. result. Reliable evidence is hard to come by. In the absence of a small, white, spherical egg a bee or wasp, it’s easy to jump to the conclusion that a spider sac anchored close to the web. The three false widows in Britain is the culprit, but the perpetrator is rarely caught in the act for The young hatch within the accurate identification. egg sac after two to four The Noble False Widow The other two false widows commonly found are: Noble False Widow bites have been compared with a wasp Bruc months, emerge and disperse (Steatoda nobilis) is one of sting; the pain is usually short-lived and (in rare cases) may e Crowe by ballooning on silk threads. three false widow (Steatoda) result in feeling unwell for a day or so. The neurotoxins in the species that may be found in venom don’t cause the bacterial infections – or ‘necroses’ – and around buildings in People and Noble often attributed to spider bites in the press. These infections Britain. All have very shiny are much more likely to result from dirty splinter wounds or abdomens with a more–or- False Widow spiders scratching insect bites with a dirty finger-nail. In contrast to less distinct white half-moon Although the vast majority of wasp and bee stings, spider bites are extremely unlikely to at the very front. Male Steatoda bipunctata Female Steatoda grossa spiders use venom to subdue cause an allergic reaction. Steatoda nobilis Steatoda bipunctata Steatoda grossa their prey, only a very small To put this into context, the chance of a spider bite in Britain is Noble False Widow Average male actual size Average male actual size number of the larger species very much less than a bee- or wasp-sting – or even of a dog Average male actual size (Length range 4-5 mm) (Length range 4-6 mm) in Britain can bite into human bite – and the consequences are generally less severe. Spider (Length range 7-10 mm) Average female actual size Average female actual size skin. None of these species Average female actual size (Length range 4.5–7 mm) (Length range 6.5-10 mm) bites don’t convey human diseases and, worldwide, spiders (Length range 8.5-14 mm) • By far the most common • A native species, quite ever attack people, are major predators of insects such as mosquitoes that do and widespread species. common in the south, much scarcer unprovoked. The only risk of transmit disease. All these species may be confused • Has lived in and around buildings for further north. being bitten comes from with other common British spiders – thousands of years. • Abdomen brown with a series of putting your hand into a web, Serious problems with spider bites are likely to arise only if visit the Spider Recording Scheme • No pale mottling on abdomen, but white spots in juveniles and adult the bite becomes infected or if the person is already males often have a white line down males; adult females often plain handling a spider roughly or website britishspiders.org.uk/srs weakened by other health issues. As with any other injury, if Oxford Geoff _false_widows for more information. the middle (see photo). brown. sitting or lying on one by mistake. Media reports of swelling or ulceration results from a suspected spider bite you spider bites usually focus on should seek immediate medical help. Body length: males, 7–10 mm; females, Habitat: gardens, sheds, window Noble False Widows and, Like many other species that have been 8.5–14 mm. frames, dark corners in houses. occasionally, on the smaller accidentally introduced to Britain through FACT Colour: the overall impression is one of Web: a messy, often large, tangled web Steatoda grossa (the much global trade, and then been able to thrive in brown and cream mottling of non-sticky (but very strong) silk, smaller Steatoda bipunctata is our warming climate, the Noble False Widow extremely unlikely to be able is here to stay. They have been living FILE • Cephalothorax (front section of body) – usually built in a corner with a tubular retreat partly hidden in a deep crack or to penetrate the skin of unnoticed in many houses for decades. By Noble False a uniform, very dark, brown hole. humans or pets). Noble False learning to identify them and understanding Widow spider • Abdomen (back section) – oval, with Widows are actually shy and their habits you can reduce the very small risk But remember – large house spiders’ (Steatoda creamish and dark brown marks rather sluggish. They spend of being bitten - and if you want to remove webs look like this too (see Factsheet 2) nobilis) varying in size most of their time in their any spider from your house, just place a glass • Legs – varied shades of brown along webs although males may over it, slip a piece of card underneath and their length, usually not clearly banded. wander in search of females. release it outside. FACTSHEET Ba Where are our 2015 Scheme data sed on Spider Recording And where are 5 Noble False Widows? Least likely the real black Possible The Noble False Widow is a widows? Noble False Likely native of the Canary Islands and • Warmer countries Madeira probably repeatedly across the world imported into this country with where they’re Widow spider bananas. It was first reported in native, or have Britain near Torquay in 1879. been introduced. For the next 100 years or so it (Steatoda nobilis) Advancing Arachnology appears to have been confined • Very rarely in to a few populations along the Britain as Ev south coast but it is now accidental imports; an Jones spreading, probably as a result of the Natural History global warming. By 2015 it was Museum sees recorded across the southern half about six a year, of the country and it is highly usually brought in likely that it will continue to on grapes from spread northwards. The species is USA, South Africa now widespread across western or the Middle East. and central Europe but there it is Noble False Widows in Britain Most are dead on rarely blamed for biting. arrival. For more information: False widows and spider bites: Visit britishspiders.org.uk/false_widows Think you’ve found an imported spider? If you find a spider you don’t recognise in imported fruit, or in luggage after a trip abroad, keep it safe in a container and send a photograph to [email protected] for identification and advice. Terrified of spiders and want to get over it? Look up ZSL London Zoo’s ‘Friendly Spider Programme’ and arachnophobia treatment sessions at other UK zoos. The British Arachnological Society Female Noble False Widow spider The BAS is Britain’s only charity devoted exclusively to spiders and their relatives. We use science and education to advance the wider understanding and appreciation of arachnids, and to promote their conservation. Find us at www.britishspiders.org.uk, www.facebook.com/BritishSpiders The Noble False Widow spider is a native of the or on Twitter @BritishSpiders Canary Islands and Madeira, now living peacefully Supported by Caledonian Conservation in Britain. Melodramatic tales about it sometimes www.caledonianconservation.co.uk Design Graphic Edwards Colin by designed Nicky Rowbottom, by and Helen Smith, edited Oxford Geoff by text actsheet F appear in the media - here is the real story. Registered Charity - England and Wales No. 260346, Scotland No. SC044090.
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