SPIDERS

Black Widow, Latrodectus mactans

Order: Araneae (Spiders)

Size: Up to 3⁄8" (females larger than males)

Habitat: Dark, hidden areas in woodpiles, sheds, debris, etc.

Range: Throughout the United States

The Black Widow is one of the most feared spiders due to its secretive but dangerous nature, and although its bite is rarely fatal, it can cause serious illness. The female is glossy black with a large, rounded abdomen, medium-length legs, and a bright red, hourglass-shaped spot on the underside (this may appear as two separate red lines divided by black). The male has a much smaller body but with relatively long legs, and is paler in color with dull reddish marks on the abdomen. Both sexes are capable of injecting venom, but the female gives a larger volume. They feed on insects or other spiders that become ensnared in their webs, whereby they wrap the prey in silk and ingest the juices. Commonly, the female will eat the male after mating. The underside of the female is illustrated.