A spider-relative of the 'black widow' found in New York: biologists are alarmed
'07.01.2021'
Lyudmila Balabay
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) said a "brown widow" has been found in the region. This spider usually lives in tropical latitudes, and New York State is still the northernmost place where this insect has ever been encountered. This fact alarmed and surprised biologists. Details told the publication News 10.
The spider was found alive in a garbage can by a Westchester County resident.
According to DEC, the “brown widow” is much less dangerous than the “black widow”, even though they are of the same species. Its bite usually does no harm to humans, whereas a black widow bite can be fatal.
The brown widow is mostly found in tropical climates, with populations in Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana.
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This is the first such spider found in New York State. DEC is investigating where he came from in the state, as the man who found him said he has not visited any southern regions of the United States recently.
The DEC Forest Health Diagnostic Laboratory is ready to help understand the situation if a person has discovered an unknown insect or plant. If you have insects, trees or other plants in mind that you would like to identify, send photographs of them to the laboratory by e-mail: [email protected]
