Black Widow Spider Found Inside Kroger Grapes

A black widow spider was discovered inside a bag of grapes purchased at a Kroger store in Brighton, Michigan. Callum Merry, age 20, was eating the grapes when he noticed a web inside the bag. Upon further inspection, he found the live spider.

Merry planned to contain the spider and place it outside. However, his brother Alex warned him that the spider could be deadly. Alex eventually placed the entire bag into a bowl of water to kill the spider.

ABC News reports that Kroger issued an apology for the incident, and provided the family with a $25 gift certificate for their troubles. Officials with the Cincinnati-based company contacted their suppliers to discuss preventative measures. They are unsure how the spider got inside the bag of grapes.

Black widow spiders can be easily identified, as the females usually have a distinct red hourglass shape on their underside. The venomous spiders are usually around 1.5 inches long and 0.25 inches in diameter. Their average lifespan is between one and five years.

According to National Geographic, they are among the most venomous spiders found in North America. Although the bites can be lethal, they usually only produce a mild reaction.

Children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are more likely to experience a severe reaction. Patients are urged to seek medical attention if they experience muscle aches, nausea, or difficulty breathing following a bite.

Although the spiders may seem intimidating, they are not aggressive. Black widows usually do not bite unless provoked.

The spiders got their ominous name because the females often kill and eat their partners after mating. The females lay hundreds of eggs, which are kept inside a cocoon until they hatch.

Thankfully, black widow spiders are rarely found inside produce. While stories about spiders in fruit are not unheard of, they are rare.

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