Black widow spider discovered in grape shipment

FRIDAY, JULY 8: A potentially dangerous black widow spider was found in a bunch of grapes bought from a Bermuda grocery store.

The venomous spider is believed to have originated in a shipment of grapes from California.

Environmental watchdogs said they ‘intercepted’ the spider after being alerted by a member of the public.

It is believed to be the only black widow to have arrived in the shipment. The grocery store, which has not been named, is no longer selling grapes from the same shipment.

The supplier in California has been alerted in a bid to prevent any other such spiders arriving on the island.

The black widow carries a poisonous bite, which is occasionally deadly.

In a press release this afternoon, Government stated:

“Today the Plant Protection Section at the Department of Environmental Protection can confirm that a spider in the Widow family (Latrodectus sp.) was delivered to the government entomologist for identification.

“The spider was found by a member of the public in imported red grapes that were purchased from a local grocery store.

“The intercepted spider displayed the classic ‘hour glass’ marking characteristic of ‘Widow’ spiders, and appears to be an immature Black Widow or a male Black Widow. Black Widow spiders do not develop the classic black colouration until they are mature, and adult males resemble immature females.

“The grocery store in question has been contacted by the Department of Environmental Protection and they have confirmed that they no longer have any of the same grape shipment available for sale.

“The Californian supplier of the grapes has been contacted as well as the California Table Grape Commission that oversees the export of Californian grapes and both entities have been made aware of the interception and our concerns.