We've all heard of the "Black Widow." The name itself can be a bit scary. But did you know that the Black Widow has a less well-known relative, the "Brown Widow Spider." It's important to be aware of this spider, as it's becoming more common in our backyards these days.
Who is this Brown Widow Spider?
Simply put, this spider belongs to the same family of widow spiders, known scientifically as `Latrodectus`. But it is very different from the black widow. Although this spider is considered to be native to South America or Africa, it is now spread all over the world, especially in warm countries like ours.
The female is a bit larger. The female spider lives for about 3 years, while the male spider lives for a short time, about 6 months. As is the custom of widow spiders, the female sometimes kills and eats the male after mating. It is said that this is where the "widow" part of the name comes from.
A single female can lay about 5,000 eggs at a time, so they reproduce very quickly.
How do you recognize this person exactly?
This spider can be a little difficult to identify, as their color varies from light brown to dark brown/black. However, they are not shiny black like the black widow. They have a pattern of spots on their body.
But there are two best characteristics to recognize him:
1. Abdominal mark: There is an hourglass-shaped mark on the underside of the abdomen, usually orange in color . This is the main characteristic.
2. Egg Cell: Their egg cell is very special. It's like a little ball with lots of spines . The egg cells of other spiders are usually smooth. If you see a spider egg cell with these spines somewhere in your garden, there's a good chance it's a brown widow.
For convenience, let's compare these two spiders.
| Characteristic | Brown Widow | Black Widow |
|---|---|---|
| Color | Light brown to dark brown (spotted, not shiny) | Shiny black |
| Abdominal sign | Orange or yellow Pyrus bottle shape (Hourglass) | Red Pyris bottle shape (Hourglass) |
| Egg cell | Like a prickly, prickly ball | Smooth, spherical |
Where do they like to live?
Brown widows like to hide in dark, secluded places. Be careful of these areas in your home and garden:
- Old unused flower pots
- Among the old stuff in the garage
- Woodsheds and woodpiles
- The chairs in the yard, under the table.
- Old vehicles, tires inside
- Inside the mailboxes
Is brown widow venom dangerous?
Here's the important thing. Yes, the brown widow is poisonous. But, it's not as dangerous as the black widow. Why is that?
The reason is that, although the brown widow's venom is as potent (a neurotoxin) as the black widow's venom, the amount of venom injected into the body during the bite is very small . Therefore, the effects are also minimal.
The most important thing is that these spiders are not very aggressive. When they are scared, they try to play dead rather than bite. Bites usually only occur when they are pressed against the body.
Also, only adult females bite. Males and young do not bite.
What are the symptoms of a bite?
Most of the time, a brown widow bite doesn't feel like much. It may feel like you've been bitten by an animal, like any other mosquito. The bite site may be slightly red and slightly painful. Some bites are "dry bites," meaning no venom is injected.
However, in rare cases (about 15% of cases), the following symptoms may occur:
- Severe pain at the site of the bite
- Muscle pain and cramps
- Lifeless legs
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
Serious cases are rare, but it's good to be aware.
What to do if you get bitten? Do you need medical advice?
Usually, a brown widow bite does not require hospitalization. Here are some first aid tips.
1. Calm down. Don't panic.
2. Wash the bite area thoroughly with soap and water.
3. Apply an ice pack to reduce pain and swelling.
When to see a doctor immediately
However, in some cases, it is imperative to seek medical advice. In the following cases, immediately go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
- If the bite was on a small child, an elderly person, or someone with other medical conditions such as heart disease .
- If you are showing serious symptoms, such as severe abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, or a growing bite wound.
- If you are sure that the bite was caused by a widow spider (brown or black).
At the hospital, doctors will provide painkillers and other treatments if needed. The same antivenom used for black widow bites has been reported to be effective for brown widow bites. Your doctor will decide on this.
If you have any doubts or require further information, you can also call the National Poison Information Centre located at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
How can you protect yourself from these spiders?
Getting rid of spiders means eliminating places for them to hide.
- Keep your home and garden clean. Get rid of old items, firewood, and old pots in an orderly manner.
- Wear gloves when working in the garden or collecting firewood.
- Don't walk outside without sandals.
- Shake out items like shoes, slippers, and towels that you haven't used in a while before using them.
- Repair holes in the walls and windows of the house.
- Remove any spider webs you see, especially the spider egg cases .
By following these simple steps, you can achieve great protection against spider bites.
Take-Home Message
- Keep in mind that the Brown Widow Spider, although venomous, is much less dangerous than the Black Widow.
- The best way to identify this one is by the orange Pyris bottle shape and the spiky egg sac under its abdomen.
- If you get bitten, there are usually no major complications. Washing with soap and applying ice is enough.
- However, for young children, the elderly, or those with severe symptoms , refer immediately to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).
- You can protect yourself from them by keeping your home and garden clean and removing hiding places.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න