Brazilian Wandering Spider

[WARNING: arachnophobes beware; this article contains images of a spider.]

I was reading where global warming was causing critters from down south to migrate to the US.
The Brazilian Wandering Spider (who lives in central and south America) doesn't have to wander here. It gets a free ride on produce imported from the southern climes, namely stalks of bananas and such.. If it finds our climate favorable, it might begin to reproduce.

Just what you wanted to hear. I don't like spiders or snakes! unlike old Worried who is tolerant of most (not all) the nasty things.


Excerpt from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_wandering_spider

Toxicity

P. nigriventer venom contains a potent neurotoxin [...]. At deadly concentrations, this neurotoxin causes loss of muscle control and breathing problems, resulting in paralysis and eventual asphyxiation. In addition, the venom causes intense pain and inflammation following an attack [...].

Aside from causing intense pain, the venom of the spider can also cause priapism (prolonged erections) in humans. Erections resulting from the bite are uncomfortable (painful as hell), can last for many hours and can lead to impotence. A component of the venom (Tx2-6) is being studied for use in erectile dysfunction treatments.^[5]

It is huge. It has one of the most painful bites in the spider world. It is the most deadly spider; forget the funnel web spider – this thing is dangerous. It has the highest human kill rate in the world. To make things even worse, a bite from this spider causes an erection that lasts for hours. No – this is not a subtle ad for viagra; it really is a side-effect of a wandering spider bite. Emergency room staff are able to immediately recognize a person suffering from a bite. Needless to say, the venom is being studied for possible medical uses for people suffering erectile disfunction. [Youtube Clip]
(Video below)