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The Nightmare continues... (40)
gerhardt
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1976 W: 259 N: 4103]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (11585) | Brown Button Spider
Latrodectus geometricus
The Theridiidae or Comb-footed spiders is a large and diverse family represented by 15 genera in South Africa. They are nocturnal, web-living spiders. The family is best known due to the notoriety of the genus Latrodectus, the Button spiders, also called Widow spiders as females often consume the male after mating. There are 6 species in South Africa.
The very common species, Latrodectus geometricus, or Brown or Geometric button spider occurs around every home where I stay, outside under window ledges, behind drain pipes, under wood piles etc.
Although its bite can sometimes be troublesome, it is not life threatening as is the case with of most of this group. However, Latrodectus indistinctus, or the Black Button spider presents a serious problem. Its venom is neurotoxic (affects the central nervous system). Bites used to be very common during the manual harvesting of corn but these days with mechanised harvesting, bites are quite rare.
Button spiders are very timid, usually retreating when disturbed or dropping to the ground and playing dead. Bites result from handling or when they are trapped and squeezed.
The main symptoms of Latrodectism (Button spider envenomation):
* sharp burning pain at the site
* pain spreads to lymph nodes within 15 minutes
* severe muscle pain and cramps in an hour
* tightness in the chest
* difficulty with walking
* anxiety, sweating, fever,
* slurred speech, nausea and headaches.
If this does not give Callie nightmares I do not know what will! :)
Less than 5% of untreated cases result in death, usually as a result of respiratory failure. In fact, there have been no deaths from button spiders in the last 4 to 5 decades. Those more severely affected are children (smaller blood volume) and the elderly who might suffer respiratory or heart failure. All Latrodectus bites should be treated and monitored
I love the pose of this spider I captured. I could have been sharper, I know. But the pose (and my love for spiders :) was the driving factor in my decision to post it. Hope you like it.
Technical data
Time of day: 11:40 PM
Weather conditions: Night inside garage
Focal length: 147mm
Flash: Canon Speedlight 550, Patterned
tripod: Manfrotto
Camera mode: Aperture priority
Photoshop CS: Cropped, USM (300%, 1, 0), Saturation +10, S&H & Framed. |
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