Latest news with #spider
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Warning issued as Britain's 'most dangerous spider' with 'unbearable' bites invades homes across the UK
A stark warning has been issued as Britain's 'most dangerous spider' with an 'unbearable' bite, is about to invade homes across the UK. False Widow spiders are set to appear in greater numbers as spider mating season is set to begin later on in August. This is prompting experts to urge people to keep windows closed both day and night. The venomous animal delivers a bite that, although not lethal, can cause swelling, painful burns and even fever. It is the largest of the three false widow species commonly found near homes. Dr Tom Elwood said as 'spider season' kicked off this month - when horny males move indoors to search for mates - the eight-legged critters could scuttle through pipes into homes. The arachnologist said: 'August is when male spiders become active - they're searching for a mate and they'll wander through open windows, up walls, into bathtubs - anywhere they can.' It comes after Dr Elwood this week urged Brits to clean their windows to stop grimy, cobwebbed frames becoming a haven for the poisonous arachnids. Dr Elwood encouraged Brits to keep their bathtubs, sinks and other areas of their homes clean and tidy to hold back the invasion of venomous critters. He said: 'Spiders are drawn to dust, insect remains and debris.' He added: 'Spiders are already on the move. You may not see them, but they're out there, climbing walls, slipping in through vents and squeezing through the tiniest cracks.' The noble false widow is 'widely regarded as the most dangerous spider breeding in Britain,' according to a 2020 paper by Clive Hambler, an Oxford University zoologist. Known as Steatoda nobilis, they're not native to Britain and are thought to have arrived from the Canary Islands in banana boxes in the late 1800s before slowly spreading northwards. The Daily Mail previously reported that a man believes he was bitten by this spider left him in 'unbearable' pain and struggling to walk. Keith Robinson, 65, says he developed a large, angry inflammation on his leg shortly after clearing out cobwebs at home. At first, he tried to treat it himself using painkillers and savlon, but before long, it became too much to bear and he went to the hospital. Now he's been diagnosed with cellulitis around the wound, and can only walk for short distances before 'intense pain' sets in. He said: 'It must be more than a coincidence that I had removed a large number of cobwebs from the house by hoover. 'So I'm thinking that I've disturbed a spider, and at some point, I got bitten.' The bite, unnoticeable at first, only got worse as the days passed. ARACHNOPHOBIA IS IN OUR DNA Dating back hundreds of thousands of years, the instinct to avoid arachnids developed as an evolutionary response to a dangerous threat, the academics suggest. It could mean that arachnophobia, one of the most crippling of phobias, represents a finely tuned survival instinct. And it could date back to early human evolution in Africa, where spiders with very strong venom have existed millions of years ago. Study leader Joshua New, of Columbia University in New York, said: 'A number of spider species with potent, vertebrate specific venoms populated Africa long before hominoids and have co-existed there for tens of millions of years.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Radio star's wife reveals horror find on her car: 'Burn it'
The wife of Nova radio star Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli has revealed she experienced a frightening encounter this week. Lisa Wipfli took to her Instagram to share images of a menacing-looking spider, which she discovered nesting on her vehicle recently. The former marketing guru, 41, made the discovery while she was driving in the rain in her hometown of Melbourne. Lisa shared an image of the arachnid, which appeared to be a huntsman spider, clinging to the outside of her vehicle while she was stopped in traffic. 'This guy just went behind my rear-view mirror, so I'm selling my car now,' she joked. Sharing another image on her Instagram stories, Lisa appeared to have a sense of humour about her close encounter with the spider. A follower offered Lisa 'advice' about how best to rid herself of the spider nesting in her car 'If you hear sirens in the East, you'll know why,' she said. Meanwhile, several of Lisa's followers and friends offered 'advice' about how to get rid of the spider. 'Burn the car,' one person replied to the post. Another friend added: 'Jesus I can't deal [with this]. Can you fumigate a car with a natural product? What if it had babies? 'I'm serious! They like warm places like the motor...' 'Oh for f*** sake,' Lisa replied while admitting the comment from her friend was adding 'a layer she hadn't even thought of'. 'My husband has done this!' shared another of Lisa's followers. 'Literally got out of the car and phoned the dealership and got rid of the car. Major arachnophobia,' they explained, referring to an irrational fear of arachnids. After Lisa asked the person whether they were 'serious' about the story, they replied: 'Totally 100 per cent.' While Lisa did not clearly identify the kind of spider now resting in her car, the pictures reveal it closely resembles a huntsman spider. According to a guide to spiders common in the Melbourne area, huntsman spiders are 'larger' spiders, which makes them intimidating. 'They also like to hide in cars. They only bite when they are provoked,' the guide from pest control brand Flick explained, adding that huntsman spiders are not 'dangerous'. But a victim of a bite from this type of spider is likely to experience some pain and swelling at the site, according to the advice. Lisa has been married to Wippa, 45, for 11 years, and the pair are known for their amusing social media shares. Together they share three children, sons Theodore, eight, Jack, seven, and daughter Francesca, four.
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Experts issue warning as 'alien monster' spider spreads around the globe on cargo ships — here's why it's so dangerous
Experts issue warning as 'alien monster' spider spreads around the globe on cargo ships — here's why it's so dangerous Australia may soon be invaded by a spider that scientists have called an "alien monster." What's happening? The New Zealand false widow spider, a native of the Canary Islands and Madeira in Spain, is an invasive species that is spreading rapidly via cargo shipments. According to the International Business Times, the spider that scientists have labeled an "alien monster" is believed to be making its way to Australia. The false widow is known for adapting well to urban environments and can be found everywhere from mailboxes to garden sheds, so it will thrive in areas of Australia with similar environments. However, this invasive species offers a double whammy with its bites, which is what earned it the label of "alien monster." Though the species is less aggressive than some other spiders found in Australia, its venom is neurotoxic and can cause swelling, pain, tissue necrosis, and low blood pressure. Fatalities from the bite of this spider are rare; however, hospitalizations are not. Even worse, though, is the fact that the false widow spider is a host for a plethora of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, meaning antibiotics don't always work on bites from this species. Why are invasive species concerning? Any kind of invasive species is a major concern for the country it invades, as they can cause immense damage to native species and local ecosystems. As evidenced by the false widow spider in New Zealand, invasive species spread rapidly. They outcompete native species for vital resources, such as food, and introduce new diseases into local populations (or in this case, new neurotoxins and antibiotic-resistant pathogens). Some invasive species can also impact human food supplies, destroy native plants, alter soil chemistry, and even exacerbate extreme weather conditions. Protecting and prioritizing native species is a crucial way to help conserve natural resources, safeguard food supplies for both animals and humans, and limit the spread of new diseases. Do you worry about air pollution in your town? All the time Often Only sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. What's being done about the New Zealand false widow spider? Unfortunately, there's only so much that experts can do to stymie the tide when it comes to invasive species, especially in cases like this one where the species is small and can hide in cargo to enter the country. According to IBT, experts in Australia have urged the government to increase the monitoring of imported goods, educate the public about the species, and make investments in containment measures to mitigate the risks associated with the false widow spider. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
The Sun
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Skin-crawling photo captures a massive spider hiding in plain sight – can YOU spot it in under 20 seconds?
A HAIR-RAISING image of a huge spider hiding in plain sight has left the internet baffled. You must have a 20/20 vision to spot the arachnid in less than 20 seconds. 2 A Reddit user kingakatosh has shared a photo of a spider camouflaged among twigs on the ground. He was lucky to spot and avoid the giant spider on time but has asked others if they are as eagle-eyed. Test your puzzle-solving skills and try to find the animal in less than 20 seconds. Make sure to scan every nook and cranny of this tricky brainteaser. You will need great attention to detail and composure to prove successful in this challenge. Spiders are great at camouflaging and blending in with their surroundings, making it trickier to find them. However, some users were able to spot the spider straight away thanks to their phobia. One person wrote: "My spidey senses (arachnophobia) were tingling and I found that f***er immediately." Another one added: "Oh hell, I immediately zoomed in on it and gagged." A third user said: "Finding it gave me a crawling sensation in my brain, which I disliked very much. Thank you." INCY WINCY Everyone can see the bedroom - but you have 20_20 vision if you find the spider The spider you're searching for is a dark fishing spider, scientifically known as Dolomedes tenebrosus. They're harmless to humans and are considered shy as they run away at the sight of a person. Dark fishing spiders live in wooded areas and are typically found in the United States and Canada. More tricky puzzles But if you find this puzzle too easy, then try some of the other optical illusions. How can optical illusions and brainteasers help me? Engaging in activities like solving optical illusions and brainteasers can have many cognitive benefits as it can stimulate various brain regions. Some benefits include: Cognitive stimulation: Engaging in these activities challenges the brain, promoting mental agility and flexibility. Problem-solving skills: Regular practice enhances analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Memory improvement: These challenges often require memory recall and can contribute to better memory function. Creativity: They encourage thinking outside the box, fostering creativity and innovative thought processes. Focus and attention: Working on optical illusions and brainteasers requires concentration, contributing to improved focus. Stress relief: The enjoyable nature of these puzzles can act as a form of relaxation and stress relief. Check this mind-bending brainteaser where you are asked to find the hidden butterfly amongst flowers in just seven seconds. To make things harder, try figuring out what's wrong with this image of smiling women as you count their legs in 11 seconds. Lastly, you might want to prove you have a 20/20 vision as you search for a strawberry in this carnival scene. The answer If you found the spider, congratulations! If not, don't worry - you can try your luck next time. The answer to the hidden spider has been highlighted below.
Daily Mail
20-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
People creeped out after man posts photo of massive spider hiding in plain sight... can you spot in 20s or less?
A man who almost put his hand on top of a massive spider has posted a picture on Reddit challenging users to see if they would be as lucky in avoiding it. User kingakatosh shared the picture in the subreddit /FindTheSniper, a Where's Waldo-inspired community where people post photos and ask others to find a particular thing. While many struggled at first, it was not long before more eagle-eyed users spotted the large critter, leaving many feeling thoroughly creeped out. Self-described arachnophobes were quickest in spotting the frighteningly large, brown-colored spider in the mess of leaves and twigs. 'My spidey senses (arachnophobia) were tingling and I found that f***er immediately,' one person wrote. 'Oh hell, I immediately zoomed in on it and gagged,' another person wrote. 'Finding it gave me a crawling sensation in my brain, which I disliked very much. Thank you,' a third commented. Take a look at the photo and see if you can spot it in 20 seconds or less. In the comments, the poster revealed that they live in the midwestern US and narrowly avoided touching the critter. 'Reached my hand down to pick up and rock and noticed this dude mere millimeters from my hand ACKKK,' the user wrote. Others commented on what type of spider the poster had seen, with most settling on it likely being a dark fishing spider, scientifically known as Dolomedes tenebrosus. Dark fishing spiders are found in the United States and Canada. Despite their name, they typically dwell in trees and wooded areas. Females can reach a body length of about an inch long with a leg span of over three inches, while males are usually about half the size. They generally don't pose a threat to humans as they considered shy spiders. They will usually run away at the slightest bit of movement from a person. In the rare circumstance that one bites a person, the bite is no more severe than a bee or wasp sting, according to the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State. However, those who are already vulnerable to spider venom could experience more serious symptoms. Mature dark fishing spiders are typically found roaming around starting in May through September. Studies have shown that male spiders die when they mate, which leads to their female counterparts cannibalizing them. Females deposit their egg sacs in June and carry them around until they're ready to hatch.
