Is spider spider spider really a cockroach killer？ Expert： The effect is not as good as medicine.

　　Recently, a small animal named White-fronted Spider became popular on the Internet. Some netizens pointed out that it is an "artifact to kill cockroaches", feeding on cockroaches, and "only climbing the wall without climbing the bed" and "non-toxic and harmless". According to a survey conducted by Beijing Youth Daily reporter, the sales volume and price of the white-fronted spider have both increased on the online sales platform.

　　However, animal experts pointed out that the white-fronted spider does not prey on cockroaches, but feeds on small insects including cockroaches. Experts pointed out that it is irrational to kill cockroaches with white-fronted spiders, and the effect is not as remarkable as that of various chemical and physical methods on the market. Although the toxicity of white-fronted spiders is weak, they still have the risk of causing allergies and inflammation.

　　reveal

　　The white-fronted spider is accused of being an "artifact for killing cockroaches"

　　Cockroaches, as common pests, like to chew on food and household appliances, and spread diseases during this period. However, because of its tenacious vitality and exuberant fertility, how to eliminate them has become a headache for many people. In view of this, many chemical cockroach killing drugs have been introduced in the market, and some people have pointed out that cockroaches can be caught by physical methods such as sugar water. Recently, an alleged "cockroach killing artifact" has become popular on the Internet, attracting many netizens to try it.

　　This online celebrity "cockroach killing artifact" is the white-fronted spider. Some netizens said that this spider is the natural enemy of cockroaches and "feeds on cockroaches". In the hot video, netizens let a white-fronted spider and a cockroach "share a room". Then, the spider caught the cockroach nearby and swallowed it in a few bites. Some netizens said that the white-fronted spider "only climbs the wall but not the bed" and "is nontoxic and harmless", so it can be safely raised in large quantities at home to "shock" cockroaches. However, some netizens questioned: Is the white-fronted spider really harmless? Can a large number of breeding really play the role of "killing cockroaches"

　　Li Ning (pseudonym), a resident of Fujian, told the reporter of Beiqing Daily that he lives in the south. When the climate is hot and humid, cockroaches often haunt his home. "There are children and pets at home, so I dare not use the cockroach killing medicine because I am afraid of being eaten by mistake. I heard that it (white-fronted spider) can eat cockroaches, so I bought it. " Li Ning recalled that the first purchase was in December last year. "I left it at home and it was not long before I lost it." In July this year, Li Ning bought another one from the Internet. "If you catch a cockroach in front of it, it will eat it, but I have never seen it chasing after it, and it doesn’t eat much. It basically eats one or two (cockroaches) and stops eating."

　　survey

　　The seller sells "Net Starscream" by size.

　　Searching on the e-commerce platform found that there are not a few sellers selling white-fronted spiders. On the product introduction page, many merchants played the banner of "natural enemy of cockroaches" and "zero harm to people" and distributed videos of white-fronted spider preying on cockroaches. It is observed that most sellers price spiders according to their size, which are divided into 5-7 cm, 8-10 cm and 10-12 cm, and the price ranges from 10 yuan to 30 yuan.

　　Many merchants said that thanks to the label of "cockroach killing artifact", the white-fronted spider is selling well recently, and the number of people placing orders and the price have increased compared with before. Some merchants have also introduced that they have been selling white-fronted spiders since a few years ago. Most of the spiders sold come from the wild, and only a few are farmed.

　　However, in the comment area of hot-selling goods, buyers’ comments on "Starscream" are polarized. Some buyers left a message saying that as soon as they received spiders, they kept them at home, "feeling less cockroaches." However, some buyers said that after receiving the "Net Red Spider", they didn’t see it actively catching cockroaches, and even put the spider and two small cockroaches in a mineral water bottle. The spider didn’t hunt cockroaches like in the video released by the merchant.

　　In this regard, the merchant explained, "There are limited conditions for catching cockroaches. You can’t feed it in advance. When it is hungry, put it in a sealed area for it to catch cockroaches. For example, in a kitchen of 5 square meters, close the door and put a spider. " During the communication, the merchant also stressed that the white-fronted spider usually does not need to be fed. "Its food is cockroaches. If it is not full, it will find insects to eat, such as flies, mosquitoes and moths. It eats them all. Moreover, it is very hungry, and it is okay not to eat for a month. "

　　In addition, the merchants said that "spiders are harmless and don’t bite people". "Normally, they are afraid of people and will stay away. Even if you are bitten, it is just like being bitten by a mosquito, bulging a small bag. " Merchants also introduced that the activity area of the white-fronted spider is concentrated on the wall and ceiling. "Under normal circumstances, it will not climb into the bed or closet and will not disturb people’s normal life."

　　expert

　　"Spider killing cockroaches" is not reliable and the effect is not as good as medicine.

　　Is it reliable to rely on the "net spider" to prey on cockroaches? Diao Kunpeng, a researcher at the Shanshui Nature Reserve Center in Haidian District, Beijing, said that the white-fronted spider is a common spider, which mostly moves indoors, likes dark and damp, hides in corners, behind wardrobes and other places, and is often distributed in the south.

　　However, Diao Kunpeng explained that this spider does not prey on cockroaches, but feeds on small insects including cockroaches. "So, use the white-fronted spider ‘ Kill cockroaches ’ Obviously, it is not very reliable. This effect is not seen to be more efficient than various chemical and physical methods for killing cockroaches on the market. " In view of the fact that some sellers catch the white-fronted spider in the wild, Diao Kunpeng pointed out that although the white-fronted spider is not a rare animal, excessive human intervention will have a negative impact on the ecology in the long run.

　　Is "Starscream" non-toxic and harmless? Diao Kunpeng said that all spiders are toxic. Although the white-fronted spider will not take the initiative to hurt people, there is still the risk of being bitten in a closed environment. "Although the toxicity of the white-fronted spider is weak, it is not as some people say ‘ After being bitten, just drum a mosquito bag ’ That’s all. Especially for people with allergies, it is more harmful after being bitten and there is a risk of causing allergies and inflammation. "

　　Text/reporter Zhang Ya Intern Xiang Lian