Abstract

Dr. Vijay V. Nawghare* and Dr. Rajendra Urade

ABSTRACT

Spiders belong to the phylum Arthropoda and class Arachnida. More than thirty -four thousand species in hundred families. All spiders are poisonous. But the venom of only few species is dangerous to man. The biting apparatus of spider consist of the two chelicerae and the venom sacs in which the poison is produced. The venom is usually a colorless liquid having consistency of light oil. In process of biting the spider applies it sharp, spins like fangs into the victim’s body and makes 2 separate punctures, at the same time. Spider poison seems to be complex nature and produced neurotoxic and hemotoxic symptoms. In most instances, the bite is followed by local symptoms at the site of punctures- burning, throbbing and painful sensation, numbness, stiffness and sometimes a very slight swelling. This symptom usually persists only for a few minutes or a few hours. Some poison contains haemotoxins that destroy the cells in the vicinity of the wound causing necrosis and gangrene. The toxic principle are cytotoxic, hemotoxic, and neurotoxic. The species causing severe poisoning are black widow spiders (Latrodectusmactans), brown spiders (Dugesiella), and tarantula (lycosa species). The toxic principle of black widow spider is neurotoxic.