Overview
- The Nosferatu spider, native to the Mediterranean, has spread across Germany and is now recorded in the north, according to arachnologist Hubert Höfer.
- In Baden-Württemberg, experts report a near statewide presence, with finds shifting from inside homes to garden sheds, nest boxes, and under plane tree bark.
- The species can pierce human skin, yet bites are usually milder than a wasp sting, and experts advise catching the spider in a container, releasing it outside, and monitoring the bite site.
- Citizen reports have dropped sharply since 2023, which researchers attribute to waning attention rather than a population decline, and they do not classify the species as invasive.
- Museum specialists note a possible benefit for cities, as the spider may help curb common oriental cockroaches in and around buildings, while further upslope spread could follow if winters stay mild.