INVASIVE SPECIES: Zoropsis spinimana

A species is considered invasive when it has been introduced by humans and it competes with or displaces native species.

These large spiders are currently invading the San Francisco area. Native to the Mediterranean region, the colonizing spiders or egg sacs probably traveled to the Bay Area with a furniture shipment or in a vacationer’s suitcase. Academy scientist Darrell Ubick was the first to recognize Zoropsis spinimana as an alien species. He is currently tracking its spread from the South Bay – so far, it has been documented in five cities, both in nurseries and in homes. Ubick and Academy colleague Charles Griswold recently published a scientific paper announcing its arrival. It is the first representative of the large Zoropsidae spider family to be found in North America.

www.calacademy.org/science_now/invasive_species/zoropsis_spinimana.html

www.abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=local&id=3848312

Damn, I thought we were safe here.

Paging DrfriDge

Where can I get one of them?

how big is it?

Can you die from one of those?

Looks pretty nasty, but are they really dangerous, such as the widow or the recluse?


-K

Poisonous?

Up to 2 whole inches long.  All spiders are venomous.

Carb Cleaner and a Zippo

Looks like 2-3".

That's big for around here.

Quoted: Carb Cleaner and a Zippo

bah thats nothing compaired to this
The Sydney Funnel-web Spider (Atrax robustus)
Size-4.5 cm body length
Toxicity
"Bites are most prevalent during summer and autumn when males leave the burrows in search of females. Accidental encounters with wandering males usually occur in gardens, houses, garages and sheds - particularly ground-level dwellings on concrete slabs. "

"Bites are dangerous and can cause serious illness or death. The venom appears to particularly affect primates (ie humans), whereas other mammals - such as cats and dogs - are relatively resistant"
Fangs-
spider-

But if these ever make it to the U.S. we are screwed. They burrow into wood and make nest like carpenter ants and react to noise invaders ect... like fire ants
Bullet Ant (Paraponera clavata)
"Paraponera clavata is best known for its giant size and unusually severe sting. Workers are 18-25 mm. (up to 1 in.) long and look like stout, reddish-black, wingless wasps. Their stings are the most painful and debilitating known for any insect"

IBTF (in before the FriDge)

Quoted: IBTF (in before the FriDge)

IBDFD

In Before DFD!

She sure do have a soft spot for here dear old daddy, now, don't she?  

IBDFD

Quoted: Paging DrfriDge

my very first thought. Isn't he in Cali also?

yada yada yada blah blah blah nuke from orbit...only way to be sure blah blah blah yada yada yada