Spider found in red grapes - HELP

[David Maitland]

Today in a bunch of red grapes we found a small, black, shiny spider with a strange white cross markings on it's back.

Can you tell us where it is came from, is it dangerous or is it just a normal English spider?

[tristanba]

see this thread http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...ck-spider.html

[Venger]

Yes, if you trawl through that post you'll find out about it.

It's a male, Steatoda paykulliana a foreign spider, but related to several species over here.
Odd that this is the second S.paykulliana we've seen in the past couple of weeks, contact chrisaliz to see who they contacted at the BAS.
It's not going to chase you through the house, so you can relax (though it can deliver a painful bite but the venom is quite mild in its effect (think bee sting), but it generally only bites in self defense)
Just pop it in a container and see when they get back to you.
Chrisaliz is sending theirs through the post to the BAS.
Do you know where your grapes came from? (and why do I never find any spiders in my groceries!)

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by Venger

Do you know where your grapes came from? (and why do I never find any spiders in my groceries!)

What like a buy one get one spider free sort of offer?

[Venger]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

What like a buy one get one spider free sort of offer?

Just saying I'd appreciate it more


Then again, why don't I find large lumps of gold in my groceries.....just in case I'm tempting fate.

[GRH]

Originally Posted by Venger

...(and why do I never find any spiders in my groceries!)

Tell me about it! Some people have all the luck!

The only thing I've ever had in my groceries is a mealybug on some organic bananas from the Dom Rep!

Greg

[demicav]

Originally Posted by Venger

Yes, if you trawl through that post you'll find out about it.

It's a male, Steatoda paykulliana a foreign spider, but related to several species over here.
Odd that this is the second S.paykulliana we've seen in the past couple of weeks, contact chrisaliz to see who they contacted at the BAS.
It's not going to chase you through the house, so you can relax (though it can deliver a painful bite but the venom is quite mild in its effect (think bee sting), but it generally only bites in self defense)
Just pop it in a container and see when they get back to you.
Chrisaliz is sending theirs through the post to the BAS.
Do you know where your grapes came from? (and why do I never find any spiders in my groceries!)

I agree, odd, second one in past couple of weeks. Very exciting though. I never find any in my groceries either.

[Zygiella]

Originally Posted by GRH

Tell me about it! Some people have all the luck!

The only thing I've ever had in my groceries is a mealybug on some organic bananas from the Dom Rep!

Greg

Im going to buy pomegranates and grapes tomorrow - you never know! Any ideas for recipes with pomegranates and grapes?

What happens to the spiders sent to the BAS for ID? Are they released or killed?

[clicka15]

Originally Posted by Zygiella

What happens to the spiders sent to the BAS for ID? Are they released or killed?

I was under the impression that someone takes them on and cares for them.

[galanthus]

Originally Posted by GRH

Tell me about it! Some people have all the luck!

The only thing I've ever had in my groceries is a mealybug on some organic bananas from the Dom Rep!

Greg

We had a dead, tiny scorpion type thing in our bananas from tesco last year. Meant to send it off but my bloke dropped it on the floor and we couldn't find it afterwards. If it had been alive I'd have left home very quickly