Black Widow Spider
Latrodectus mactans
CLASS: Arachnida
ORDER: Aranea
FAMILY: Theridiidae
SIZE: Male 1/8 inch, Female 3/8 inch
RANGE: Massachusetts to Florida, west to California, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas; most common in the South
HABITAT: Fallen branches and under objects of many kinds such as furniture, outdoor benches and structures, and trash
DIET:
Wild - Insects
Zoo - crickets
DESCRIPTION:
Male - elongated abdomen with white and red markings on sides; with 2 transverse red marks separated by black; legs much longer in proportion to the body than those of the female
Female - almost spherical abdomen, usually with red hourglass mark below or with 2 transverse red marks separated by black; legs shorter in proportion to the body than the male
Spiderlings - orange, brown, and white, gaining more black at each molt
FACTS:
Builds irregular mesh web with a funnel-shaped retreat; builds in sheltered spots
Female rarely leaves web, staying close to pale brown egg sac
Will bite defensively if disturbed
Of all spiders, black widows are the more feared as the venom is especially poisonous to people
Usually will not bite unless guarding an egg sac, but will escape; males do not bite
After mating the female often eats the male, thus the name "widow"
YOUNG:
Female stores sperm, producing more egg sacs without mating again
Spiderlings disperse soon after hatching
Some females live 3 years
REFERENCE:
National Audubon Society Field Guide to Invertebrates, Lorus and Margery Milne, University of New Hampshire
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