The discovery of a banana spider in Uruguay has raised concerns in Treinta y Tres. The specimen was found this Monday in a supermarket in the department, according to local radio station La Red Independiente. This is the fourth time a sighting of this species has been recorded in the area.
Poisonous spider and out of its habitat
The banana spider, whose scientific name is Phoneutria nigriventer , is considered one of the most poisonous spiders in the world. Although it doesn't naturally live in Uruguay , it can appear in shipments of fruit imported from Brazil, Paraguay, or Argentina, where it is native.
Carlos Prigioni, researcher and former director of Hygiene and Environment for the Municipality of Treinta y Tres, explained in an interview with FM Conquistador that this spider's venom is highly toxic and can be fatal in certain cases. He also emphasized that it exhibits aggressive behavior, which makes it an additional risk to anyone who encounters it.
The specimen found measured about 10 centimeters, including its legs. According to specialists, these arachnids commonly hide in banana plantations and travel unnoticed along with the fruit during export processes.
Recommendations from the authorities
If you see a lizard, authorities recommend not handling the animal and immediately contacting the Northeast Regional University Center (CENUR) at 097165075. In case of a bite, go immediately to a health center and call the Toxicology Information and Advice Center (CIAT) at 1722 for medical advice.
There have already been in . In 2023, a specimen attacked a man in a grocery store in the Pocitos neighborhood of Montevideo.
What specialists say about its venom
In this case, specialist Luis Fernando García told El Observador that the banana spider in Uruguay is especially dangerous because it combines potent venom with an aggressive nature. He explained that bites can be fatal in children, the elderly, or people with preexisting conditions, such as diabetes or cardiovascular problems.
A study by the State University of Campinas in São Paulo concluded that the highest risk groups are children under 10 years old and adults over 70. This would explain why no deaths from this arachnid have been recorded in Uruguay so far.
In healthy adults, the bite usually causes intense pain, muscle stiffness, and local reactions, but it does not cause major complications if medical attention is received promptly.
Hypothesis about its toxicity
Brazilian researchers maintain that the potency of the venom is due to the species' diet. The spider feeds on small vertebrates such as frogs, lizards, and even mice, which forces it to develop fast-acting toxins. This allows it to immobilize large prey that might attack it.
This hypothesis suggests that extreme toxicity is not linked to defense against predators, but rather to the need to capture larger animals in their natural environment.
Local context
The discovery reopens the debate about sanitary controls on fruit imports. In Uruguay, where banana consumption is a daily occurrence, workers in the sector and families wonder how common it is to find bananas on shelves or in warehouses.
In the neighborhoods, the issue is discussed as just another concern amidst the daily grind and the need to make ends meet. While these spiders aren't common, specialists emphasize that the risk exists and that the best response is to remain calm and follow protocols.
