Its name actually sounds very friendly, but its bite is dangerous: we are talking about the violin spider (Loxosceles rufescens). For the second time in a few weeks, a person has already died from a spider bite in Greece;
Could this spider be a threat to us in Germany too?
Six eyes and a special pattern: this is what the violin spider looks like
The brown field spider belongs to the family of six-eyed sand spiders, along with the Chilean angular spider (Loxoceles laeta) and the brown recluse spider (Loxoceles reclusa).
The spider is 7 to 9 millimeters long and owes its name to a A field-shaped spot on her body. It has six eyes arranged in three pairs – an important identifying feature in fact, as most spiders have eight eyes.
Favorite spider locations
The field spider prefers dry soil or holes in the ground and is often found near homes, especially in gardens. She rarely enters the house.
That’s how poisonous the spider bite is
The field spider is especially known for its venomous bite, which can cause serious medical problems.
Problem: There is no alternative medicine. The sting usually goes unnoticed or barely noticed at first. And the course may be harmless, but may be painful or fatal.
In these rare cases, spider venom not only destroys cells in the skin, but also reaches deeper layers, where it attacks blood cells, fat, muscle, and other tissues and can cause organ damage.
Distribution – Occurrence of the violin spider in Europe
The invasive spider species originally came from North Africa, but is now found in many other areas, including popular holiday destinations such as Spain, Portugal, France, Greece and Italy: it has been native to the Mediterranean region for over 5,000 years.
The field spider owes its great ability to spread: for example, it can hide in small rooms or in buildings during transit, where it remains motionless for a long time and can survive for three to five months without food and water.
Violinspinne: How big is the risk in Germany?
Although the bite of a field spider is venomous, it can cause serious damage and can be life-threatening. But the good news: Field spiders tend to be quiet and hideous. They only bite when they feel seriously threatened.
And: the brown field spider has not yet been reported in Germany – although it has already been found in the Netherlands, Switzerland or the Czech Republic, but it is not native there. The researchers also think it’s too cold for violin spiders in the German winter.
In Germany, the magazine writes, “the danger posed by these animals can be described as practically nonexistent.” The spectrum of science.
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