|
Brown
Recluse Spider
The Brown Recluse Spider used to
be endemic further south but is now making its way north and Kingston
Hospital has had a few cases recently.
The brown recluse spider (Loxosceles
spp.) is a poisonous spider that is light brown in color. It is about 1/2
inch in length, has a violin-shaped marking on the thorax (mid-section) and
is sometimes called a fiddleback spider due to the unique markings. While
most spiders have 8 eyes, the brown recluse has 6 (3 pairs). The brown
recluse spider received its name because of its color and reclusive behavior.
These spiders make an irregular and sticky web that is used for shelter
rather than for trapping insects.
The brown recluses venom is a cytotoxin that attacks the cells of flesh and
produces necrosis or dead tissue in humans. Though fatalities from the
venom are very rare, the reaction to the venom depends on the amount of and
individual sensitivity to the toxin. The bite is not usually felt, but a
stinging sensation may develop shortly after, followed by intense pain. The
reaction, however, may not occur until an hour or more after the bite. The
bitten area will first develop a small, white blister and enlarge to the
size of a silver dollar as the venom attacks and kills the tissue in the
affected area. Eventually, the affected tissue will die and leave a sunken,
ulcerated sore. The healing process is slow, generally six to eight weeks.
If bitten, call a physician or go to the emergency room immediately. If
possible, exterminate the spider and take it along for identification
purposes. Though no antitoxin is available, prompt medical treatment can
prevent severe reaction and minimize the extent of damaged tissue and
eventual scarring.
You can read more about the brown
recluse spider at these sites:
The emerald ash borer is highly destructive to ash trees
and was first discovered in Canada in Ontario in the summer
of 2002. It already affects ash trees in the United States
and Canada and poses an economic and environmental threat to
urban and forested areas across both countries. EAB does not
pose a risk to human health.
This invasive beetle has previously been confirmed in
Ontario in the city of Toronto, the municipality of
Chatham-Kent as well as Essex, Elgin, Lambton, Middlesex and
Norfolk counties. Regulatory restrictions have been put in
place in these areas to control the movement of potentially
infested materials and to slow the spread of the pest to new
areas. It has also been recently confirmed in the Montérégie
Region in Quebec and in the Peel and Halton Regions of
Ontario.
page last
updated 10-Jun-2009
|
