Two Albanians die from black widow spider bites

At least two people have died from spider bites in Albania, as health officials investigate claims that one of the more venomous species of black widow spider has gained a foothold in southern Europe.

One of the more venomous species of the black widow spider is apparently now in southern Europe

Credit: INGO ARNDT/NATUREPL

Several species of black widow, including Latrodectus tredecimguttatus, are already found around the Mediterranean, but Albanian officials believe that rising temperatures have created the perfect conditions for one of the other widow species.

The Albanian media claim that four people have died in the north of the country after black widow bites, although health officials have so …