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 ...
Brazilian wandering spider venom causes loss
of muscle control and breathing problems,
paralysis and asphyxiation.
Photograph: Apex Photo Agency/Rex
"Hello, its your doctor. I have some good news and some bad news."
Pregnant.
Imagine that as a sales pitch.
"Hello, its your doctor. I have some good news and some bad news."
What a way to go.
Bite me.
And they really did incinerate all those eggs. :-)
That wasn't a banana where she found those spiders.
lol...
Someone queue Dion, “The Wanderer”.
Beautiful bunch of ripe banana, hide de deadly black tarantula.
DJ B-mom at your service...
>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.
The worlds deadliest snake bite is the cure if it exceeds 4 hours.
You just ruined my laptop keyboard!
I always liked this version
The Philanderer
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=The+Philanderer
Is that a Brazilian Spider in your pocket? or are you just glad to see me?
Thanks beaversmom. My HTML is so rusty. But the lyrics and the name of the song seem to fit this story.
Brazilian wandering spider venom causes loss
of muscle control and breathing problems,
paralysis
Ah, I see 4 hour paralysis of the obama.
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