[The "hornet spider" of Plinius]

Pliny the Elder describes in his 'Natural History' XXIX 86 a species of spider dangerous for human beings and looking like a hornet without wings. This description corresponds to Solipugae of the genus Karschia, living in arid areas of Central Asia. These animals are not venomous but can cause harm by their powerful bite and in some cases by a following inflammation of the wound. On the contrary, an animal called "wasp-like", mentioned by Nikander of Kolophon ('Theriaca', v. 738-746) and often regarded to be the same creature, seems to be a typical venomous spider which causes an acute intoxication by its bite.