Watch out! Steatoda nobilis is about!

Looks like we finally have a poisoinous spider worth talking about:



Steatoda nobilis (one of several spiders called a "false widow") has been clinging on in warm parts of the country. But now the climate is warming they are spreading and multiplying.

Here's the bite info from the wikipedia page for ya'll:

"The bite of S. nobilis is known to be medically significant in humans, however without any long-lasting effects. The bite of this spider, along with others in the genus Steatoda, can produce a set of symptoms known as steatodism. Symptoms of bites include intense pain radiating from the bite site, along with feverishness or general malaise. [4] In 2006 a Dorchester man spent three days in Dorchester County Hospital with symptoms of heart seizure, after suffering a spider bite believed to be caused by S. nobilis. (A spider was observed in the act of biting the man; however it was not captured and positively identified by an expert)"

Oyster

Looks like the old plan for letting you use oyster cards for the kind of translations you would usually use change for are being revived !

I really want to be able to buy coffee with my Oyster card. It'll make dodging paying on the bendy-bus seem even more worthwhile!