Mazda Had a Spider Prolem

The company claims that, for some still to be determined reason, the yellow sac spider (genus Cheiracanthium), part of the prowling spider family formally known as Miturgidae, has developed an affinity for prowling into the car's fuel system and asserting its web building rights.

The LA Times reports, "Mazda's spider problem is probably the result of an infestation by the venomous arachnid at an auto parts supplier or the Flat Rock, Mich., plant where the automaker assembles its Mazda6 cars, rather than at the garages of owners, an entomologist said."

That explanation sounds like a reasonable hypothesis, however it still remains untested.

In any event, the presence of webs in the fuel system poses a potential safety problem, and therefore the company is taking precautionary measures by recalling the vehicles for inspection, and absorbing a financial loss.

While a financial loss by any company can be considered a painful business experience, a second potentially painful experience is left unsaid in most accounts of the recall.

First the good news. No reliable evidence exists placing the yellow sac spider in the category of a spider of medical importance in the United States.

Most spider experts, however, will also relate that the less than good news regarding yellow sac spiders is that their bite packs a powerful wallop.

Given the potential severity of their bites, consumers not wishing to invite yellow sac spiders to make a home in their car should not feel pangs of guilt when forcefully removing them.

© 2011 Patricia A. Michaels.