Climate change brings new spider species to Carinthia

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Carinthians are now even discovering the Nosferatu spider – a new species in Central Europe – increasingly in their own four walls. But that’s not the only eight-legged friend introduced.

Spider phobia must now be strong, because in Carinthia alone there are now about 700 different species of spiders. On average, each Carinthian knows maybe 10 to 20 spiders. “But new species are always reported,” says Ökoteam spider expert Christian Komposch. Globalization and climate change are paving the way for many southern European species to come here.

The Nosferatu spider can now be found all over Austria. This spider has felt at home in our house for years – often unnoticed – because it likes to be warm. It is active at night and slumbers during the day behind cupboards or in crevices, it does not build webs to catch its prey, but pursues it. “With its wingspan of up to eight centimeters, it may seem impressive, but it is harmless to humans. Plus, she only bites when she’s irritated, and that would feel a bit like a light wasp sting.”

Species introduced by climate change survive
It gets its name from a drawing on the front that resembles Nosferatu from the 1922 silent film. “Climate change allows more and more introduced species to survive here,” says Komposch. Such as the large vibrating, ball or (house) thorn finger spider.

Reports about the Black Widow have so far proven false. Only the false black widow lives in species-rich Carinthian flower meadows and is currently the most poisonous spider in our country. Komposch: “But he’s hard to find because he quickly retreats at the slightest movement.”

Interview: Soon black widow with us?
„krone“: Mr. Komposch, you are a spider expert on the Öko team. What do you think of the reports about the black widow in Austria?
compose: So far these have been false reports. They don’t exist here – yet – but that could change, as global warming would also allow the black widow to find favorable conditions in Austria, particularly Carinthia.

But the false black widow is already in our home and belongs to our fauna…
Correct. It is also currently the most venomous house spider. However, it is rarely encountered because it is on the road in species-rich flower meadows. She lives withdrawn in abandoned mouse or cricket burrows, hunts for centipedes or wasps.

Source: Krone

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