A bite from the false widow spider could be just as dangerous as the deadly black widow creeper, new Irish research reveals.
The Noble false widow spider comes from the Canary Islands but has become native to Ireland in recent decades after first being spotted in Bray, Co Wicklow during the 1990s.
The species thrives in urban areas and is one of the most common spiders in parts of Ireland and the UK.
Up to now, the arachnid has been considered less dangerous than its notorious cousin the Black widow, but biting incidents are on the rise with victims reporting intense pain and swelling – and even lasting stiffness in their limbs.
Now new Irish research has revealed that the false widow can potentially deliver a very real dose of dangerous toxic venom to its victims in one bite.
A team of scientists from NUI Galway and the University of Liege in Belgium have found that the Irish spider produces many of the same toxins found in Black widow venom.
In fact, 111 out of a total 140 toxins recovered were found in both species - including compounds known to attack the central nervous system - according to the research published in the Journal Toxins.
The news will strike terror into the heart of arachnophobes around the nation, however lead author John Dunbar said the risk of serious reaction to a false widow bite is still low.
The NUI boffin said: “Although our study shows that the venom of false widow spiders may be more potent than previously thought, it does not mean we need to fear them.
“In many parts of the world even ‘true’ black widow bites rarely require medical attention.”
“However, this new discovery will ultimately help medical professionals to diagnose and treat severe false widow bites.”
