Spider Alert For NI

Imported fruit is usually blamed as the source of any 'alien' species of spider that turns up in Northern Ireland, but, according to the Agri Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) in Belfast, a poisonous 'banded huntsman' or giant crab spider from Australia has arrived here on an imported rally car.

Resembling a flattened tarantula, the beast was brought to the AFBI in Newforge Lane for identification by a pest control firm hired to clear the car out.

There, expert Dr Archie Murchie has said that several foreign spiders have previously found their way into Northern Ireland, but insists there is little likelihood of them establishing colonies.

He said this is in contrast to the situation in southern England where rising temperatures have sparked calls to scientists from worried householders who have found apparently alien spiders in their homes and gardens.

Dr Murchie said the spider had found its way into the car while the vehicle was sitting in the Outback.

"My colleague Stephen Jess dealt with the query. It looks like a flattened tarantula - it's a very fast moving spider. It come in to us through a pest control firm. A guy who was interested in rallying had brought in a vehicle that had those spiders in the car," he said.

"Although quite vicious looking, the huntsman is generally non-aggressive, although it can give a nasty bite if provoked. They'll give you a bite but they are not one of the really toxic spiders that are life threatening," he told the Belfast Telegraph, noting that, with invasive species in general, global warming is allowing insects to survive longer in winter.

"However," he said, "it's probably a wee bit too cold in Northern Ireland for these spiders. The climate in the south of England is quite different to here."

One spider species spreading across England is Segestria florentina, or the tube web spider. It used to be limited to east London's docks and ports on the South Coast but can now be found as far as the Midlands.

Unlike native spiders, it can become aggressive when cornered and, although not venomous, has been known to bite.

(BMcC)