Posted on 09/05/2010 9:17:53 AM PDT by JoeProBono
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.- A Florida bug expert says banana spiders up to 4 inches long, common in the state's parks and recreational areas, aren't dangerous, but are nutritious.
The spiders are native to the southeast and tropics, and are most prominent in late summer and early fall, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel said Saturday.
"They are worth their weight in gold in the number of insect pests they consume," said Clive Pinnock, manager of the Okeeheelee Nature Center. He said they feed on mosquitoes and other insects that plague summertime visitors.
Beyond consuming mosquitoes, the spiders have another benefit.
Glavis Edwards, spider expert at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, said the female banana spider is especially nutritious because of the egg mass in its belly.
Even considering their nutritional value, parks officials in Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale try to relocate the spiders away from playground and picnic areas.
"I'm sure it would freak some people out, but they are typically harmless," Fort Lauderdale spokeswoman Shannon Vezina said.
I’ve heard their toxin dissolves the brain, hence the “brain goo” you mention. Have you seen or heard that?
I’m with you. I don’t know why I clicked on this thread. I knew it would creep me out, but I did it anyway. Won’t be having lunch today and will bookmark this thread for its appetite suppressant value.
You can see his ‘writing’ on the right side of the picture, but I don’t think I have ever seen one quite as big as the picture you posted in #1. They make webs in the woods from tree to tree. Riding a horse through the woods is particularly difficult.
What the heck is that, spider caviar?
I’ve seen some huge garden spiders in South Georgia.
Joe,
I’m not saying you may have an arachnid problem, BUT.
;-)
All you Joes sound alike
I like them in my garden , but will stick to eating hot dogs.
Gee, if the guy puts his hand 100 feet away, and the spider right up to the lens, he can make it look 20 feet long!
The article says, “up to four inches long.”
Used to have those all over one portion of my yard when I lived in the Panhandle.
The biggest problem was not knowing the webs were there and walking into them in twilight, then seeing all these bigass spiders all over.
Arachnophobia strikes again!
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