Bananas shouldn't have cottony white cocoons clinging to their skins.
But when the 43-year-old mom from southern Wales called Tesco, the supermarket chain, she was repeatedly told to bring the fruit back to the store in Pontardawe.
Her reluctance to return egg sac-coated bananas was well-founded. The spider that laid them was likely a Brazilian wandering spider, a.k.a. "banana spider," the world's most venomous eight-legged critter. Layton had read about the formidable genus Phoneutria ("murderess") arachnids, which build their webs among bananas when they're not hunting at night.
Fun fact: The Brazilian wandering spider's bite can cause a painful four-hour erection. Even if you survive the venom, you could be rendered impotent. Scientists are studying the venom for possible uses in treating erectile dysfunction.
Naturally, Layton was concerned for the safety of her 6-year-old daughter, who likes bananas. Her husband must have also found the prospect of being bitten unsettling.
When the cocoon started to "unfurl," Layton grew fearful that baby spiders would soon be crawling through her house, according to the Bristol Post. So she sealed up the bananas and eggs in a container and tossed it in the freezer.
Tesco reportedly apologized to her and offered a refund in exchange for the frozen bananas/spider ova, so they could "conduct a full investigation."