Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Essex woman finds eggs of world's most venomous spider in her shopping
The Guardian ^ | September 9, 2014 | Mark Tran

Posted on 09/09/2014 4:49:19 PM PDT by beaversmom

Brazilian wandering spider venom causes loss of muscle control and breathing problems, paralysis and asphyxiation. Photograph: Apex Photo Agency/Rex

The Brazilian wandering spider – perhaps the world's most aggressive and venomous spider – is a rare visitor to these shores, but has recently been turning up in shipments of bananas, most recently in Colchester.

Such is their fearsome reputation that a woman who found its eggs in bananas she bought from Tesco on Monday had to incinerate her vacuum cleaner after using it to clean them up.

Abby Woodgate, 30, was told by pest control experts that she would have to burn anything that had come into contact with the spider eggs, as the arachnids are highly venomous. At deadly concentrations, their venom causes loss of muscle control and breathing problems, resulting in paralysis and eventual asphyxiation.

The Brazilian wandering spider has a tendency to hide in banana bunches or plantations and is occasionally found as a stowaway within shipments of bananas, hence its other name – banana spider.

Although its venom is highly toxic, it is being studied for use in erectile dysfunction treatments. The spider's bite can cause an erection that sometimes lasts for up to four hours.

Woodgate first thought the bananas had mould on them after noticing a white lump when they were delivered to her home. When she poked it with a toothpick, a cocoon opened, revealing dozens of tropical eggs.

She immediately threw the fruit in the bin, but a few eggs dropped on her kitchen floor, which she vacuumed. She called Tesco's Highwoods store, which had delivered the shopping to her home and it said it would collect them. She then received a call to say pest control experts would call round instead.

(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: arachnid; arachnids; spider; spiders; uk; wanderingspider
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-47 next last

Brazilian wandering spider venom causes loss
of muscle control and breathing problems,
paralysis and asphyxiation.

Photograph: Apex Photo Agency/Rex

1 posted on 09/09/2014 4:49:19 PM PDT by beaversmom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: beaversmom
Although its venom is highly toxic, it is being studied for use in erectile dysfunction treatments. The spider's bite can cause an erection that sometimes lasts for up to four hours.

"Hello, its your doctor. I have some good news and some bad news."

2 posted on 09/09/2014 4:51:46 PM PDT by skeeter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: skeeter

Pregnant.


3 posted on 09/09/2014 4:54:16 PM PDT by ansel12 (LEGAL immigrants, 30 million 1980-2012, continues to remake the nation's electorate for democrats)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: skeeter
Although its venom is highly toxic, it is being studied for use in erectile dysfunction treatments. The spider's bite can cause an erection that sometimes lasts for up to four hours.

Imagine that as a sales pitch.

4 posted on 09/09/2014 4:57:50 PM PDT by Fungi
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: skeeter
Although its venom is highly toxic, it is being studied for use in erectile dysfunction treatments. The spider's bite can cause an erection that sometimes lasts for up to four hours.

"Hello, its your doctor. I have some good news and some bad news."

What a way to go.

5 posted on 09/09/2014 5:00:36 PM PDT by Praxeologue
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Fungi
Imagine that as a sales pitch.

Bite me.

6 posted on 09/09/2014 5:01:48 PM PDT by ROCKLOBSTER (Celebrate "Republicans Freed the Slaves" Month.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: beaversmom

And they really did incinerate all those eggs. :-)


7 posted on 09/09/2014 5:02:38 PM PDT by jazusamo (Sometimes I think that this is an era when sanity has become controversial: Thomas Sowell)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Fungi
"The spider's bite can cause an erection that sometimes lasts for up to four hours."

That wasn't a banana where she found those spiders.

8 posted on 09/09/2014 5:03:08 PM PDT by CivilWarBrewing
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: skeeter

lol...


9 posted on 09/09/2014 5:03:34 PM PDT by beaversmom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: beaversmom

Someone queue Dion, “The Wanderer”.


10 posted on 09/09/2014 5:03:39 PM PDT by Conspiracy Guy (Stop wishing for a perfect world. You may get it. Who will you talk to then?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: beaversmom

Beautiful bunch of ripe banana, hide de deadly black tarantula.


11 posted on 09/09/2014 5:04:55 PM PDT by Dr.Deth
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Conspiracy Guy
Someone queue Dion, “The Wanderer”.

DJ B-mom at your service...

The Wanderer

12 posted on 09/09/2014 5:06:13 PM PDT by beaversmom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: beaversmom

>Although its venom is highly toxic, it is being studied for use in erectile dysfunction treatments.<

.
All you Viagra users, y’all better check your prescription bottles.


13 posted on 09/09/2014 5:06:44 PM PDT by 353FMG
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: skeeter

The worlds deadliest snake bite is the cure if it exceeds 4 hours.


14 posted on 09/09/2014 5:08:17 PM PDT by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: CivilWarBrewing

You just ruined my laptop keyboard!


15 posted on 09/09/2014 5:08:32 PM PDT by 353FMG
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: beaversmom
The spider's bite can cause an erection that sometimes lasts for up to four hours.

LOLZ!! I know some women who would say, "Shoot! If that happened to my Husband, I wouldn't let him out of the house!"
16 posted on 09/09/2014 5:08:56 PM PDT by RandallFlagg (Uninstall Fascist Firefox. Get Pale Moon.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: beaversmom

I always liked this version

The Philanderer
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=The+Philanderer


17 posted on 09/09/2014 5:09:51 PM PDT by dfwgator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: beaversmom

Is that a Brazilian Spider in your pocket? or are you just glad to see me?


18 posted on 09/09/2014 5:11:53 PM PDT by Mr. K (Palin/Cruz 2016)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: beaversmom

Thanks beaversmom. My HTML is so rusty. But the lyrics and the name of the song seem to fit this story.


19 posted on 09/09/2014 5:12:31 PM PDT by Conspiracy Guy (Stop wishing for a perfect world. You may get it. Who will you talk to then?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: beaversmom
" The spider's bite can cause an erection that sometimes lasts for up to four hours. "

Brazilian wandering spider venom causes loss
of muscle control and breathing problems,
paralysis

Ah, I see 4 hour paralysis of the obama.

20 posted on 09/09/2014 5:15:47 PM PDT by The_Republic_Of_Maine (In an Oligarchy, the sers don't count.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-47 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson