Phoneutria spp. is actually a genus with five
known similar species whose members are highly venomous.
They include some of the relatively few species of spiders
that present a threat to human beings. The Brazilian
Wandering Spider (Phoneutria fera)
can grow to have a leg span of up to 4-5 inches.
| These
spiders are notorious both due to
their toxic venom, and because they
are not reluctant to attack people
who appear threatening. Of the five
species known, P. nigriventer
and P. fera most frequently
receive mention in mass-media
publications. P.nigriventer
species are responsible for most
cases of venom intoxication in
Brazil because this species is
commonly found in highly populated
areas of Brazil, namely the
South-eastern states: São Paulo,
Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and
Espírito Santo. The P. fera
is native to the northern portion of
South America, especially the
Brazilian Amazônia, Venezuela and
French Guiana. |
 |
| P. nigriventer
female
(Sao Paolo, Brazil morph). Click for a larger view. |
 |
Recent studies suggest that these
spiders only inject venom in approximately one-third
of their bites and may only inject a small amount in
another third. However, research in this area is
hindered by the difficulty of identifying particular
subspecies. Thus the effects of the bites from these
spiders are hard to predict when based on sketchy
information or if the spider has not been identified
definitively. Bites from these spiders may
result in only a couple of painful pinpricks to
full-blown envenomation. In either case, people
bitten by a Phoneutria or any Ctenid should
seek immediate emergency treatment as the venom is
possibly life threatening. |
|
Dead
P. reidyi |
The Phoneutria fera and
nigriventer are the two most commonly implicated as the
most virulent of the Phoneutria spiders. The
Phoneutria not only has a potent neurotoxin, but is
reported to have one of the most excruciatingly painful
envenomations of all spiders due to its high concentration
of serotonin.
Brazilian
Wandering Spiders are extremely fast, extremely venomous, and extremely
aggressive and are ranked among the most venomous spiders known to man.
In fact, the Brazilian Wandering Spider is the most venomous spider in
the New World! In South America, these true spiders are commonly
encountered in peoples' homes, supposedly hiding in peoples' shoes,
hats, and other clothes. It does not remain on a web, rather, it wanders
the forest floor, which is how it got its name.
The Brazilian
Wandering Spider has another name - the Banana Spider and it was given this
name because there have been cases where these spiders unintentionally
appeared on banana boats heading for the United States.
Information
and pictures were taken from children's projects and where credited to that
child does not claim to be original information. Where possible, permission
to reproduce has been sought. Any infringement of copyright is purely
unintentional.
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