With venom up to fifteen times more toxic than a diamondback rattlesnake, the widow spiders (Latrodectus. sp) are one of the worlds most feared genus of spider. Although they are not particularly aggressive, they have developed a reputation worldwide as a killer species though bites from these spiders have a tendency to be defensive rather than offensive. Effective anti-venom is also readily available, so fatalities from these spiders are actually relativity rare.
Our new black widow (L. mactans) was discovered in Oxhill, Warwickshire in a shipment of furniture last Thursday (Aug 30th).
She is settling in well and we at the Butterfly Farm are very pleased to have her in our bio-hazard enclosure.
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In November Sahar Dimus, our guide on four CFZ Sumatra expeditions, died of liver failure leaving a widow Lucy and four Children. On the 2nd November, Dezyama D. Sangma, wife of our friend and colleague Dipu Marak, our collaborator on the 2010 Indian expedition died, leaving her grieving husband and two small children.
