Strange spider

[naturegirl]

That's good Ian!

There is a Steadota species that has recently been coming over in packages of grapes I believe.

Venger has identified these in the recent past but I cannot remember what this is called.

I think it is something like S. pulkieta! Help me here please Venger????

If it is this species then I wouldn't like my baby to be near it!!

I would splat it if it came within range of my baby!!! Sorry Venger!

Naturegirl

[Venger]

Well that's not so good if it's not a native but too late now.
It's unlikely to survive the winter (it's a tad chilly up in Scotland at the moment )

It could be a Steatoda paykulliana

False widow spider, Steatoda paykulliana | Natural History Museum

Though to be honest, without a picture, it's all guess work!

[naturegirl]

That's the one Venger!!!!

Well done you!!!!

As said, this has been coming over recently in grapes, more especially since the importers have ceased spraying insectocides on our imported fruits.

As said by Venger, it will not survive our winter outside. I would not invite it inside my home unless it was inside a glass cage!!

Naturegirl

[dionnemma]

Venger, Natural girl. Thanks for your help. This sounds like nasty piece of work, is there any chance it's a female and could lay eggs. As i said my house is real cosy and if it's male/female what does the other look like. Have they taken over my home, can they hurt us, will they hurt us, or is it mistaked identity.

Should i ask for more pay for working in a place thats takes passangers home.

Should i tell my work mates about this.

So many questions.

[Venger]

Well apparently its established a colony in Plymouth so looks out for it in a couple of years NG

[Venger]

Iain, relax they really aren't interested in us at all.

Spider bites a very rare (in comparison to a bee or wasp sting) - and in most cases no worse than one (barring allergic reactions) (sometimes people report more symptoms - cramps, headaches, swelling etc)

In most cases, most, if not all are self defence bites (it got sat on, caught up in clothes, that kind of thing.) Sometimes they don't even envenomate, just a quick nip.
Just encourage your children not to touch if they see one, but to observe

Since you're up in Scotland I'd say it's not going to survive. If you put it in the garden it's not going to make a bee line for your house!

(Males generally have 'boxing gloves')

That and we don't even know what it is, so don't panic

[dionnemma]

Thanks, I figured any spider sent out to play in this weather(0 Deg or worse at night) won't survive. But if any babies appear my daughter is liable to see it as a sign. I'll talk to them and make sure they tell me if any appear. If so i promise a photo.

Iain