The Brazilian Wandering Spider, genus Phoneutria – Family
Ctenidae, was first discovered in the Amazon jungle, but it is
often found in the rainforests of South and Central America. It
eschews webs and burrows and instead, wanders the jungle
floor looking for insects. It does not eat bananas, but hides in
the leaves of the plant, and does enjoy the insects found
around them.
This large spider, capable of a 4 to 5 inch leg span, is hairy
with strong, spindly legs. They move quickly, they have eight
eyes, and one of their most distinctive features are red jaws
which they display when angered.
The Brazilian Wandering Spider is sometimes confused with
the Tarantula, but there are few similarities other than their
hairy bodies. Tarantula’s are are not poisonous, but they can
have a painful bite. The Brazilian Wandering Spider is
considered an aggressive and active hunter. These spiders eat
large insects, small mice and lizards. The babies eat fruit flies
and small insects.
The Brazilian Wandering Spider hides in dark places during
the day time. Closets and boxes (maybe shoes) are preferred
once one of these creatures manages to get inside a home or
garage. Rubbish outside a dwelling harbors this spider, and
the leaves of bananas make a favorite homestead.
The Phoneutria species of the the Wandering Spiders is
considered vicious and deadly. The venom has a potent
neurotoxin – acting on the nervous system. The bite is
excruciatingly painful due to a high concentration of serotonin
and a highly active venom. Symptoms include immediate
pain, cold sweats, heart irregularities and in men, an erect and
painful penis for possibly four hours, known as “priapism,” is
considered a medical emergency. There is an anti-venom for
the Brazilian Wandering Spider, but the question is, will your
local health department have it when you need it? The answer
is, in the U.S., probably not. These spiders are believed to bite
more people than any other spider species.
Finding deadly spiders in grocery store fruit is not all that
unusual. Black Widows like to hide in bunches of grapes, and
there are numerous reports of finding them in the fruit bowl
once the grapes arrive home. The Brazilian Wandering Spider,
or Banana Spider, was reported in a “banana consignment”
delivered to a UK primary School – not the place you want to
find the “World’s Deadliest Spider,” as the venom is
particularly deadly for small children. “Cautious” rummaging
through the fruit displays at your grocer, and thorough check
of the fruit before toting it home, is a good idea

If I see it, I'll gnash my teeth and smash it with my right foot.