Do we really know them? – Part 2 – Issue #94

Hello Explorer,
last week we discovered and learned about the Northern Violin Spider (Loxosceles simillima), with regards to where they dwell and some of their ecological traits.
This week we focus further on the Northern Violin Spider (Loxosceles simillima), with regards to how humans are affected by their bite. But let’s first look at why most people fear a Violin Spider bite so much. This is mostly due to misinformation, myths, and hoaxes. In 2003 a hoax email surfaced about Violin spiders. The email contained a photo of a Brown recluse (Loxosceles reclusa) spider which occurs only in North America. Furthermore, the email contained photos of an alleged violin spider bite, which was later proven to be misinformation and not a spider bite at all. The email explained the dangers and even possible death as a result from the spider’s bite. This is just one of the hoaxes that led to myths and misinformation around violin spiders, and this is what causes the fear for these spiders.
It is of great importance to note that in most cases, as with sac spiders, the wound and subsequent necrotic lesion, caused by a bite from these spiders, are self-containing and will heal spontaneously without medical intervention if the bite site and resulting lesion is kept clean to prevent secondary infections. The advised course of action that is usually followed are using local antiseptic ointments and possibly antibiotics to prevent and potentially control secondary infections. The lesion that is left might take a while to heal, and the resulting scar might require some reconstructive surgery. If a bite site and the necrotic lesion is left untreated, a secondary infection can lead to severe complications. No death as the result of a Violin spider bite has ever been recorded in South Africa.
The question that always intrigues me beyond my imagination is: Why do these spiders possess such a potent cytotoxic venom if they tend to prey on small insects generally? It is an extreme amount of overkill if you ask me. One hypothesis I have is that being ground dwelling spiders they want to consume their prey as quick as possible and require such a potent cytotoxic venom to quickly liquify their prey items inside so that it can drink it up fast and move on before becoming prey itself.
Have you ever seen a Violin Spider up close? Have you ever wondered why some creatures are so venomous without clear reason to be? What animal have you seen that struck you with fear, only to learn later that all the fear you had for it was misplaced? How did you learn more about the animal?

If you would like to send me a message with your answers, feel free to do so on Instagram or Twitter @abugmanslife or via email to [email protected].