Among the insects that made headlines this summer, there is of course the tiger mosquito and the tick, but also a species of spider with a potentially deadly bite: the violinist spider. Although it originates from other continents, its presence is now confirmed in Corsica and throughout the Mediterranean region. We offer you an overview of the danger it poses to humans in 5 questions.
The violin spider made headlines in the media in August 2024, after two deaths were reported, a few weeks apart, in Sicily and Apulia in southern Italy.
But before that, few people knew about this spider whose scientific name is Loxosceles rufescens. It is a spider from the Sicariidae family, one of the few families of spiders that pose a danger to humans.
The violin spider is a cosmopolitan species, which has been introduced by humans to all continents except the polar regions. Originally, it was found only in Southern Europe, North Africa, Western Asia, and Afghanistan.
Today, Loxosceles rufescens is present in Canada and the United States up to Hawaii, in Mexico, Peru, Australia, the Philippines, Japan, Korea, China, Laos, Thailand, India, South Africa, and Macaronesia.
In France, its presence is confirmed in the South of France, in Corsica, and along the Mediterranean coast, from Nice to Perpignan. Moreover, the species Loxosceles rufescens is also nicknamed the "Mediterranean recluse."
The violinist spider is recognized by the violin-shaped mark on its back, at the front of its body (the cephalothorax). It is this particular feature that gives it its poetic name…
Its body measures on average 7 to 7.5 mm, but its long and thin legs give it a wingspan of 4 to 5 cm.
It is also characterized by its light color, with reddish or sand-like hues, on which the darker violin-shaped mark stands out.
Its light color allows it to be distinguished from its cousin, the brown recluse (Loxosceles reclusa), which is only found in the United States.
The violin spider is considered dangerous because its bite can cause severe and sometimes fatal envenomations.
Fortunately, it is rare for a person to die from the bite of this spider. Its venom is not potent enough to kill a human. Most deaths related to this spider are due to an infection of the wound.
Indeed, its bite can cause potentially life-threatening infectious reactions in some vulnerable people. The symptoms caused by this bite vary from person to person: mild infection, vomiting, fever, and sometimes very severe necrosis.
Severe cases represent only 10% of bites. The danger posed by this spider should not be overestimated for several reasons:
• it is very rare to encounter it because it prefers to stay out of the light in dark and warm places. It only comes out at night to hunt small insects.
• it only bites humans if it feels threatened. When faced with danger, its first instinct is to flee or play dead. It prefers to conserve its venom for its prey.
• its fangs are very small and have difficulty penetrating our skin, except in certain areas where the skin is supple, such as the neck, face, feet, hands, and thighs.
In the event of a bite from a violin spider, the treatment is the same as for all spider bites.
Here are the proper steps to remember for treating this type of injury:
• Clean the wound thoroughly with water and soap or an antiseptic to reduce the risk of infection.
• Leave the wound exposed to air unless inflammation occurs. In that case, protect the area with a bandage or dressing and monitor it.
• If the wound worsens, consult a doctor to prescribe appropriate antibiotics.
To treat this bite and avoid complications, you can also:
• Apply ice to relieve pain at the bite site.
• Elevate the affected limb.
• Get a tetanus booster shot if necessary.
Author Audrey on 10 February 2023
Trade and Society : Services
Author Audrey on 15 January 2024
Trade and Society : Industry