Spiders, poisonous

There are about 30,000 species of spiders, virtually all of which produce venom. Fortunately, most lack dangerous quantities of venom or the means to deliver it. Nevertheless, about 200 species of spiders are significantly poisonous to humans. Many of these have colorful common names, such as tarantula, trap-door spider, black widow, giant crab spider, poison lady, and deadly spider. Space permits only a brief discussion of spider venoms here. 

The widow spiders are Latrodectus species. Unlike the Loxosceles species described above, the bite sites from widow spiders show virtually no damage. The symptoms of widow spider poisoning are many and varied. They include pain, cramps, sweating, headache, dizziness, tremor, nausea, vomiting, and elevated blood pressure. The venom contains several proteins, including a proteinaceous neurotoxin with a molecular mass of about 130,000. 

And brew, like spiders, poison from the rose ... 

The hobo spider is an species with a capability of extending into new territories and adapting to many habitats. While it probably cannot adapt to extremely dry habitats, it adapts well to situations with adequate moisture and relatively cool climates. This is a non-aggressive spider, but will attack if cornered or pressed. Hobo spider poisoning does not invariably develop following a bite by a hobo spider. A large percentage of defensive bites by the hobo are dry, and no venom is injected when the spider bites. On a natural attack roll of 1 to 15, the bite is without venom. On a natural attack roll of 16 to 20, the full effect of the... 

The P-type channels were first observed in the Purkinje cells and are inhibited by a toxin derived from a funnel-web spider poison, but not by other calcium channel-blocking agents. P-type channels are widely distributed throughout the CNS... 

Llinas R, Sugimori M, Lin JW, Cherksey B. Blocking and isolation of a calcium channel from neurons in mammals and cephalopods utilizing a toxin fraction (FTX) from funnel-web spider poison. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1989 86(5) 1689-93. 

Duarte CB, Rosario LM, Sena CM, Carvalho AR A toxin fraction (FTX) from the funnel-web spider poison inhibits dihydropyridine-insensitive Ca channels coupled to catecholamine release in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. J Neurochem 1993 60(3) 908-13. 

Animal toxins are roughly divided into venoms and poisons. Venoms are offensive, used in the quest for food. Snakes produce toxins that can immobilize or kill prey for food. The venom of spiders paralyzes insects to allow the spider to feed on the victim s body fluids. While the venoms may also be used defensively, their primary purpose is in the quest for food. Most venom is delivered from the mouth, as in snakes and spiders, but there are exceptions like the scorpion that uses its tail. 

Polyclonal antibody preparations raised against toxins of poisonous snakes and spiders (i.e. venins), are used in the medical management of individuals who have suffered bites from these creatures. In many instances immediate administration of the appropriate antiserum can prevent almost certain death. 

Antivenins capable of neutralizing the toxins present in the venom of various poisonous spiders are also available. The major preparations available include Latrodectus mactans antivenin, which contains antibodies raised against the venom of the black widow spider, and... 

Animal phobias These often involve an intense fear of spiders, snakes, rodents, dogs, or any other animal stimulus. Although there is some natural and adaptive inclination to be scared of spiders, snakes, and certain other animals, since they might be poisonous or pose some other health threat, the phobic person has an exfreme/y intense and inappropriate fear of these stimuli. 

What is most remarkable is that cells can produce proteins with strikingly different properties and activities by joining the same 20 amino acids in many different combinations and sequences. From these building blocks different organisms can make such widely diverse products as enzymes, hormones, antibodies, transporters, muscle fibers, the lens protein of the eye, feathers, spider webs, rhinoceros horn, milk proteins, antibiotics, mushroom poisons, and myriad other substances having distinct biological activities (Fig. 3-1). Among these protein products, the enzymes are the most varied and specialized. Virtually all cellular reactions are catalyzed by enzymes. 

Animal products constitute 20% of homeopathic remedies and are collected from whole animals or their parts. Apis mellifica is prepared from the whole honey bee, Cantharis from the dried powder of the beetle, Cantharis vasicata, Sepia officinalis from the ink gland of the cuttle fish, Lachesis from the venom of the bush master snake and Tarantula hispanica from the poisonous Spanish spider (Cook, 1988). Lac caninum is prepared from dog s milk and Calcarea carbonica from oyster shell. 

R. F. Wright K. D. Elgert, B. J. Campbell and J. T. Barrett, Hyaluronidae and catenae activities of the venom of the poisonous brawn recluse spider. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 159AIS (19T3). 

Pesticides are chemical agents used to kill pests such as insects, snails, spiders, birds, or fish. Any living thing can be a pest at times many weeds are simply plants growing in unwanted places, and prairie dogs look cute in the zoo, but their eating habits can cause widespread damage to cropland or livestock. Pesticides are, however, seriously poisonous substances. 

Uses Dichlorvos is a colorless to amber liquid with a mild chemical odor. The USEPA has classified it under RUP, and hence it should be purchased and used only by certified applicators. Dichlorvos is used primarily to control household insects such as flies, aphids, spider mites, caterpillars, and thrips. The chemical also is used therapeutically against parasitic worm infections in dogs, livestock, and humans. The mechanism of action appears to be a contact poison and stomach poison in insects caused by interference with cholinesterase, a neurologic enzyme that is important to nerve transmissions. It is used as a fumigant and has been used to make pet collars and pest strips. It is available as an aerosol and a soluble concentrate.28 44... 

Chemicals come in all shapes and sizes and derive from a variety of sources. While to many people the words chemical and indeed poison are synonymous with man-made things such as dioxin, organo-phosphates, pesticides, and nerve gas, there are many, many other chemicals that occur naturally These may be produced by plants, for example belladonna in deadly nightshade, and ricin in the castor bean, or bacteria, for example botulinum toxin. Various animals such as snakes and spiders produce toxic venoms, and some poisons occur naturally in the ground, like asbestos, cadmium, and lead. 

GEMMA EX ARANEO — Stone from a Spider. In Germany, we have a species of domestic spider which is of immense size, which takes its name from the Cross, and is called the Cross-Spider — I know not why, unless from the shape of its web, or from the transverse colouring of its body — and it is considered wicked or unlucky to injure it. It is said to drive away every kind of poisonous reptiles from houses, and in times of pest it is seldom or rarely seen. A precious stone is found in the heads of these spiders, which is of singular value as a preservative against poison and sorcery. I have never seen it, as I have not had the courage to dissect such a spider. But there is no... 

How to Use You can buy avermectins in spray form to control leafminers and spider mites. Spray both upper and lower surfaces of leaves thoroughh to ensure good coverage. To control fire ants, broadcast the poison bait or apply it to individual ant mounds, according to label instructions. Placing the bait in... 

Nicotine is a highly poisonous alkaloid, extracted from special tobacco selected for its high nicotine content. When used as an insecticide, nicotine products are poisonous to most plant pests, including aphids, mealybugs, scales, and spider mites. However, nicotine is also highly toxic to mammals when taken internally or absorbed through the skin— more toxic, in fact, than many synthetic pesticides. It remains toxic on leaf surfaces for several weeks after an application. Also, nicotine products may contain the pathogen that causes tobacco mosaic virus in related... 

Diazepam is used primarily in the treatment of mental anxiety. In addition, it acts as a muscle relaxant for a variety of medical conditions. It may also be used as a sedative-hypnotic and anticonvulsant (e.g., for status epilepticus and drug-induced seizures). Diazepam may also be used to alleviate some of the symptoms associated with the following cholinesterase poisoning, substance abuse withdrawal, antihistamine overdose. Black Widow spider envenomation, and chloroquine overdose. As an anesthetic, diazepam may be used alone or in combination with other drugs for conscious sedation. 

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