New spider species discovered in South Africa
Scientists discovered a new species of widow spider in South Africa!
The Phinda button spider is the first one to be discovered in close to 30 years and related to the black widow spider.
Dr. Ian Engelbrecht from the SA National Biodiversity Institute joined Breakfast with Martin Bester on Tuesday morning to talk about the ‘new spider’.
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The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) contributes to South Africa’s sustainable development by facilitating access to biodiversity data, generating information and knowledge.
Dr. Ian Engelbrecht said the spider was discovered in Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal. He said it is very restricted to the northern parts of the Natal. Barbara Wright, who made the discovery, is a former bikini model, who is now an entomologist.
Engelbrecht says there are no cases of people dying from spider bites.
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Martin Bester had a scary incident with a spider once and he will never, ever forget it!