A WILDLIFE expert has discovered the first ever example of a false widow spider feeding on a protected bat species at his home in north Shropshire.
Scientists in Ireland have published a study, titled Webslinger Versus Dark Knight, in the international journal Ecosphere, showing that false widow spiders continue to have an impact on native species.
It is the first time a member of the Theridiidae family of spiders – in this case a noble false widow – has been recorded preying on a bat anywhere in the world, or any vertebrate in the UK, and is the first time a false widow has been recorded preying on mammals.
The discovery was made by wildlife artist Ben Waddams at his home in Loppington near Wem.
On two consecutive days, bats living in the attic were found entangled on the spider’s web below the entrance to the roost.
The first bat, a young pup, was completely immobilised with its limbs pinned tightly to the torso with silk. It was slightly shrivelled and discoloured from the spider feeding off the remains.
A second, much larger adult bat, was also captured and entangled in the web but as it was still alive, the bat was rescued and released.
In the UK, the Pipistrelle bats are a protected species.
Three years ago the noble false widow spider – which originate on Madeira and the Canary Islands – was reported feeding on a protected species of native lizard in Ireland.
It was first reported in southern England in 1879 and has increased its range and population density in recent decades.
The species is known for its medical significance, having the ability to cause a range of mild to severe symptoms in people who are bitten, but little is known about its impact on native species.
Dr Dugon, head of the venom systems lab at the Ryan Institute at NUI Galway, said: “We have been working on the noble false widow for the past five years, and have learnt a great deal about this species – yet, we are still surprised by its ability to adapt to new environments and make the most of the resources available. It is a truly remarkable species.”
Dr John Dunbar, Irish research council post-doctoral fellow at the venom systems lab, and lead author of the study, said: “In more exotic parts of the world, scientists have been documenting such predation events by spiders on small vertebrates for many years, but we are only beginning to realise just how common these events occur.
“Now that this alien species has become well established in Ireland and the UK, we are witnessing such fascinating events on our very own doorstep.
“Even other, much smaller, species of false widows are known to capture and feed on snakes and lizards. This study presents yet another example of the invasive impact by the noble false widow on native species.”
He added: “Although the spider is present in Ireland for over 20 years, we don’t know how impactful it is on the environment and the ecosystem in terms of competing with native spiders or impact on native prey species.
“That’s important as we are starting to get a better idea and understanding on what prey it can manage.
“It makes them much more competitive than the native spiders.
“Some of the studies show that the venom of the noble false widow is significantly more potent than the native spiders.”
He said the spider would not consume the entire bat, but instead feed off it until the spider is full.
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