Poisonous Spiders in Turkey

Turkey is home to many species of venomous spiders. These spiders dwell both in rural areas and in urban Turkey. The venom in the bite of these spiders cause a range of symptoms in humans from mild swelling to paralysis and causes death in young children and cattle.

This spider belonging to the family Therididae and is found in all Mediterranean countries, though rarely in Turkey, unlike in other parts of Europe. A Black Widow bite causes cattle death. Symptoms of infection in humans after the bite of the Black Widow include swollen eyes, abdominal pain and sore muscles.

The Turkish species of the Brown Recluse spider, or the "violin spider," is found in Mardin, Hugla, Elbistan and Hatay. The spider belongs to the group of spiders called Loxoscelidae. The venom of these spiders cause a range of severe symptoms, including fever, chills, itching, severe lesions and organ damage. At first, a blister appears; later, it swells, and the skin becomes red and hard. Children as young as 7 have died as a result of the bite of this species of spider.

The Yellow Sac spider, also known as Cheiracanthium Punctorium or "Turkish foliage" spider, weaves its web among fallen leaves in Turkish gardens and fields. The spider, though generally harmless, spews venom when provoked, and the bite causes a nasty sting. Patients who suffer an allergic reaction to the venom suffer bouts of nausea.

Segestria Florentina, or the six-eyed spider, is found in Istanbul, Izmir and Mugla and has a venomous bite when provoked. These spiders live under stones, logs and in walls, and their bites causes adverse symptoms in humans. The painful bite feels like a sharp sting, and pain and swelling last for several days.

The Turkish garden spider Araneus Diadematus is a relatively harmless spider that lives in Turkish gardens. When provoked, the spider's bite can be painful and causes swelling in the skin, but the venom does not cause any major health hazard.

Tegenaria, also called the "hobo spider" in North America and the "hunter spider" in Turkey, has a poisonous bite. The bite of the hunter spider can cause necrosis or death of skin cells and agonising localised pain.