Reykjavík Animal Services transported an unusual visitor to Iceland recently, a venomous spider that is likely a Northern Black Widow (Latrodectus variolus). The spider was found in Reykjavík’s Gravarvogur neighbourhood by resident Brynhildur Helgadóttir. While Northern Black Widows emit an extremely powerful neurotoxin when they bite, their bites are rare and rarely fatal.
The spider had arrived in Iceland from California in a bunch of grapes. It didn’t arrive alone, however: as the picture above shows, the spider is diligently caring for her eggs. The budding family is now in the hands of the Icelandic Institute of Natural History, which will conduct research on it.
Northern Black Widows are a subspecies of the legendary Black Widow spider. Exotic insects do occasionally make it to Iceland, most often along with imported fresh fruits or vegetables. Earlier this year, a newly-discovered species of spider was named after Iceland’s former president.
Read more about snakes and spiders in Iceland.
