The “vampire spider”, that’s its name, spreads to the north of France.
It’s spider season, the one where they are particularly visible since they seek to enter our homes as the first frost approaches. One species in particular attracts attention and its little name is enough to frighten more than one arachnophobe: behind the Latin name “zoropsis spinamana”, we find other very telling names: “vampire spider” or… “Nosferatu “.
Behind this name worthy of a horror film, hides in reality a very particular species of spider known for its legs, which can reach 8 centimeters long while the body itself is hardly more impressive. than an ordinary spider. On the other hand, it spreads year after year and gradually rises from the shores of the Mediterranean to more continental Europe. Our Swiss and German neighbors have already sounded the alarm, as the vampire spider seems to particularly thrive near the banks of the Rhine. The people of Luxembourg have also seen it while, here, it has already traveled widely up the Rhône valley.
If our neighbors are worried, it is because of a particularity: the bite of this spider called “Nosferatu” is particularly painful. It can even be compared to that of a wasp. Fortunately, attacks are quite rare, the vampire spider only stings when it feels particularly threatened. It is therefore better to avoid tracking her into a corner and instead try to gently move her away.
In addition to protecting you, removing it peacefully could even turn “Nosferatu” into a valuable ally. Across the Rhine, the German press reports that this spider is particularly voracious and merciless for other small insects and that it has another particularity that will please the house fairies: it does not weave webs. From there to making a new pet for the winter, it might not be too far away.
