The flight was operated by G-BNLP, which over the previous couple of weeks had operated to JFK, DXB, JNB, LAX, RUH, BOS and IAD. I wonder how long it had been on board ?

Thanks to Wikipedia, I now know that tarantulas are indigenous to the US, although generally only the south and west ...

And that "In addition to more mundane cuisine, tarantulas are considered a delicacy in certain cultures (e.g. Venezuela and Cambodia). They are usually roasted over an open fire to remove the hair and then eaten."