21. Black Widow Spiders - Essays Read this essay and over 200,000 others like it now. Don't miss your chance to earn better grades and be a better writer! http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Black-Widow-Spiders/17170

Skip to Navigation Skip to Content OPPapers.com Research Papers and Essays for All Join Login Writing Service Help ... Contact Us Question? Email Us Join Search words.comment_error_title="A comment heading is required."; words.comment_error_text="A comment is required."; words.enter_query="No query entered!"; Black Widow Spiders Home Page Science Physics We have many premium term papers and essays on Black Widow Spiders. We also have a wide variety of research papers and book reports available to you for free. You can browse our collection of term papers or use our search engine Black Widow Spiders Adult black widow spiders have a shiny, black, rounded, circular abdomen and are about 1/3 inch long (about 1-1/2 inches when their legs are spread). Adult spiders have two reddish or yellowish triangles on their bottom which looks like an hourglass marking, and their body color is dark colored usually black or sometimes dark brown. They are usually recognized because of their red or red-orange hourglass design on the bottom of their abdomen. This

22. ADW: Latrodectus Mactans: Information An article about the black widow spider from Animal Diversity Web. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Latrodectus_mact

Overview News Technology Conditions of Use ... Home Kingdom Animalia Phylum Arthropoda Class Arachnida Order Araneae Suborder Neocribellatae Family Theridiidae Species Latrodectus mactans Latrodectus mactans black widow spider Information Pictures Classification editLink('skunkworks/.accounts/5a00499e-db84-4ba2-a02d-5156bac0a4c7') 2010/10/13 23:52:40.249 GMT-4 By Matthew McCorkle Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Arachnida Order: Araneae Suborder: Neocribellatae Family: Theridiidae Genus: Latrodectus Species: Latrodectus mactans Geographic Range Within the United States, Latrodectus mactans ranges as far north as Massachusetts and New Hampshire, as far south as Florida, and as far west as California, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. The black widow spider also occurs throughout all four deserts of the American southwest. In addition, Latrodectus mactans is found in Canada, Mexico, the West Indies, and South America. Comstock, 1948 Desert USA Magazine, 2004 Emerton, 1961 Milne and Milne, 1990 ... Smith, 1980 Biogeographic Regions: nearctic native neotropical native Habitat A terrestrial environment is the habitat of the Latrodectus mactans . It is ubiquitous and builds strong-walled retreats quite close to the ground and in dark sheltered spots. However, it also spreads its snares over plants. Webs of the black widow spider can be found in recesses under stones or logs in a woodpile, in crevices or holes in dirt embankments, in barns and outbuildings. They can also be found around lids of dust bins, around seats of outdoor privies, spaces under chips of wood, around stacked materials of any kind, in deserted animal burrows or rodent holes, and entwined in grape arbors. This spider may find its way into clothing or shoes and occasionally seeks a spot in a house to build a web, but it is usually not found indoors. When it does seek shelter in a building, it is due to cold weather and a need for a dry shelter. In addition, in the eastern United States

23. Black Widow Spiders - Phoenix Black Widow Spider - How To Prevent Black Widow Bi Black widow spiders are common in the Southwestern Deserts. Here are the facts you need to know about these venomous spiders. http://phoenix.about.com/cs/desert/a/spider.htm

zWASL=1;zGRH=1 zJs=10 zJs=11 zJs=12 zJs=13 zc(5,'jsc',zJs,9999999,'') zDO=0 Home Phoenix Phoenix Search Phoenix Things to Do Phoenix Pictures Phoenix Holidays ... Share w(x2+zWl+'?p=1" zT="18/1[N" rel="nofollow">Print') Free Phoenix Newsletter! Sign Up Discuss in my Forum Venomous Spiders Are Common in Phoenix By Judy Hedding , About.com Guide See More About: black widow spiders arizona bugs bites and stings Black Widow Spider zSB(3,3) Black widow spiders can be found in all four deserts of the American Southwest, including the Sonoran Desert where Phoenix is located. There are different types of widow spiders, and all of them are venomous to varying degrees. Here in Arizona you are most likely come into contact with the L. hesperus species. You can recognize the black widow spider fairly easily: the female black widow is shiny black, usually with a reddish hourglass shape on the underside of her abdomen. Her body is about 1.5 inches long. Adult males are harmless, about half the female's size, with smaller bodies and longer legs. See a larger photo of a black widow spider.

24. Spider Facts - Black Widow Spider There are about five species of Black Widow spiders in North America. The black widow will grow to about 810mm. Black Widows will lay up to 400 eggs at a time, but they are known http://www.kidzone.ws/lw/spiders/facts-blackwidow.htm

HOME Search Coloring Pages Crafts for Kids ... Photos BLACK WIDOW SPIDER The Black Widow spider is the most poisonous spider in North America, but only the adult female. The female Black Widow is easy to recognize (if you care to get that close) by the red hourglass shape on the underneath part of her abdomen. She has a shiny black body with various types of red markings on the top, depending on the species. There are about five species of Black Widow spiders in North America. The black widow will grow to about 8-10mm. Black Widows will lay up to 400 eggs at a time, but they are known to be cannibals, which means that they will eat each other. The Black Widow has unfairly earned a bad reputation for wanting to eat her mate. She will only eat her mate when she mistakes him for a meal! The silk of this spider is known to be the strongest of all silk. The Black Widow spider does not spin the pretty webs, instead she will spin the thick jumbles looking cobweb. These webs catch beetles, flies, grasshoppers, moths and other spiders. These spiders, although a little scary, have enemies, as well. A few wasps can sting and paralyze, before eating the Black Widow. She is also a favorite food of the Praying Mantis. Some birds will eat these spiders but could end up with an upset stomach from her poisons. The bright red markings on her belly will warn possible predators that she is a nasty meal.

25. Spider Pictures: Black Widow - Latrodectus Mactans Information and several photographs of this spider, so named because the female usually eats the male after mating. http://www.cirrusimage.com/spider_black_widow.htm

26. Black Widow Spider, HYG-2061A-04 Vacuum thoroughly indoors to remove black widow spiders and their webs and egg sacs. After vacuuming, immediately place the vacuum cleaner bag in a plastic bag, seal tightly, and http://www.ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2061A.html

Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet Entomology 1991 Kenny Road, Columbus, OH 43210-1000 Black Widow Spider HYG-2061A-04 Susan C. Jones, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Entomology Female black widow spider with egg sac. Class: Arachnida Order: Araneae Family: Theridiidae Common Name Scientific Name black widow spider Latrodectus mactans Species in the genus Latrodectus are commonly known as widow spiders. A number of different species of widow spiders occur in the United States. The black widow spider ( L. mactans ) and the northern black widow spider ( L. variolus ) occur in Ohio, although both are relatively uncommon, especially in the northern half of the state. Other species of widow spiders occasionally arrive in shipments of household goods. The black widow spider has a potent neurotoxic venom and is considered the most venomous spider in North America. However, the female injects such a small dose of venom that it rarely causes death. Reports indicate human mortality at well less than 1% from black widow spider bites. Identification The adult female black widow spider has a shiny, jet black, spherical abdomen with two connected red triangles on the underside that form a characteristic hourglass marking. Note, however, that the hourglass color may range from yellowish to various shades of orange or red. Adult females are about 1/2-inch long, not including the legs (about 1-1/2 inches when legs are spread). Adult males are harmless, about half the female’s size, with smaller bodies and longer legs. The male’s abdomen usually has red spots along the upper midline and white lines or bars radiating out to the sides. Newly hatched spiderlings are predominately white or yellowish-white, gradually acquiring more black and varying amounts of red and white with each molt. Juveniles of both sexes resemble the male and are harmless.

27. Black Widow Spider Photographs of this spider and information on its habitat, life cycle, description and bite. http://www.ento.okstate.edu/ddd/insects/blackwidow.htm

Black Widow Spider, Lactrodectus mactans Habitat : The webs of these spiders are usually built in or beneath objects close to the ground such as under porches, under foundations of buildings, and in basements. Life Cycle : Egg sacs are brown, papery, about ˝ inch long and oval. They hold from 25 to 900 or more eggs, which have an incubation period of 20 days. Growth requires two to three months, with older females dying in autumn after egg laying. Description : The black widow spider can be recongized by the red hourglass marking on its ventral side of the abdomen. The black widow spider is about 1 to 1.5 inches in size and is a lusterous black color except for the red colored hourglass marking. The male usually has light streaks on its abdomen and is much smaller than the female. The female eats the male after mating. She hangs belly upward and rarely leaves the web. Bite Control : Please contact your local county extension office for current information. Return to Main page

28. Black Widow Spider: Control, Description, Biology Of Black Widow Spiders Black Widow spider biology, extermination and general information http://www.pestproducts.com/blackwid.htm

Pest Control Pests Products New ... Pest Control Black Widow Spider BIOLOGY OF SPIDERS SPIDER ELIMINATION Araneae: Theridiidae, Latrodectus mactans The female black widow spider rarely leaves her web. The web she constructs is an irregular, tangled, cris Egg sacs are pear shaped (or oval), brown, papery and about ˝ inch long. They hold from 25 to 900 or more eggs, which have an incubation period of 20 days. The spiderlings disperse shortly after emerging, tearing an opening in the egg sac and stay near the sac. After several hours, these second instar spiderlings balloon to the ground and scatter. Growth requires two to three months, with older females dying in autumn after egg laying. Of all spiders, the Black Widow is the most feared. The female’s venom is especially poisonous to people. Despite its reputation, this spider often attempts to escape rather than bite, unless it is guarding an egg mass or if it is cornered and pressed. The male black widow will not bite you. After mating, the female sometimes eats the male (remember, she only has to mate once in her life), earning the name "widow." During the period shortly following mating and laying of eggs, the female black widow can be a little cranky and hungry. After this period (if he lives through it!) the male lives quite comfortably, eating prey captured by the female. The development of his venom sacs stop and become inactive as the male matures, thus making him less of a potential problem than his female counterpart.

29. Arthropod Museum, Dept. Of Entomology, University Of Arkansas Photographs and information on the natural history of Latrodectus mactans and Latrodectus variolus. http://www.uark.edu/ua/arthmuse/widow.html

Department of Entomology Cooperative Extension Service Agricultural Experiment Station Search Publications ... Cooperative Extension Service Home ARTHROPOD MUSEUM NOTES Southern and northern black widow spiders Order: Araneae Family: Theridiidae Genus and species: Latrodectus mactans (F) and L. variolus Walckenaer The southern black widow, Latrodectus mactans L. variolus , is more common in the northern states. The anterior and posterior portions of the ventral hourglass are not joined at the middle, and red and white marking on top of abdomen tend to be more prominent than in the southern black widow (Kaston 1970) Mating most often occurs in late spring and early summer. Although hungry females may kill their mates, some healthy males live to mate with several females (Breene and Sweet 1985). Females can produce several egg masses during a summer. Egg sacs made of tough, papery, tan or gray silk are suspended in the snare. They are a little less than half and inch in diameter. Those of the southern black widow are spherical and have a conspicuous nipple at the top. Those of the northern black widow are more pear-shaped. Young spiderlings are much lighter in color than adults, adding more black with each molt. Half grown females resemble full-grown males. Spiderlings mature in 2 to 3 months. Females often live more than one year, and some have been known to live as long as three years (Kaston 1970). Although the nocturnal black widows are not aggressive, females will bite when provoked sufficiently. Males, which are rarely seen, do not bite. Females may rush out and bite when their webs are disturbed or when they are accidentally touched or trapped in clothing or shoes. In the past, bites were most commonly inflicted on people using outdoor privies. Today people are most likely to suffer black widow bites while moving lumber or other clutter from infested areas, while sitting on outdoor furniture, or when putting on clothing in which a spider is trapped.

30. Black Widow Spider - New World Encyclopedia Black widow spiders are notorious for their powerful, neurotoxic venom. The three North American black widow spiders also are known more specifically as southern black widow http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Black_widow_spider

Black widow spider From New World Encyclopedia Jump to: navigation search Previous (Black powder) Next (Blackberry) Ready Black widow Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Arachnida Order: Araneae Family: Theridiidae Genus: Latrodectus Species L. mactans Fabricius, 1775 L. hesperus L. variolus Walckenaer, 1837 Black widow spider is the common name for members of several species of dark-colored spiders in the genus Latrodectus (widow spiders) of the Theridiiae family, and in particular the New World spiders L. mactans, L. varioulus, and L. hesperus . Black widow spiders are notorious for their powerful, neurotoxic venom. The three North American black widow spiders also are known more specifically as "southern black widow" (Latrodectus mactans) , "northern black widow" (L. varioulus) , and "western black widow" (L. hesperus) . These are characterized by dark coloration and black hair, and the females commonly have a red hourglass-shaped design on the underside of their abdomen. The term black widow occasionally is applied to several other members of the Latrodectus genus, including the Australian red-back

31. Hardin MD : Black Widow Spider Bites / Pictures Last updated Monday, Jul 12, 2010 pictures black widow bites, black widow bites pictures, photos of black widow spiders, black widow spider pictures, pictures of black http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/hARDIN/MD/blackwidow.html

Black Widow Spider Bites / Pictures Return to Hardin MD : Home Medical Pictures People interested in this subject often clicked these ... Allergies Brown Recluse Spiders Bubonic Plague Chiggers ... Black widow spiders and other spiders of medical importance Louis B. Caruana, Southwest Texas State Univ Wikipedia : Black widow spider Yahoo Directory : Widow spiders Black widow spider pictures : Scott Camazine, Boalsburg, Pennsylvania Black widow spider bite eCureMe.com Black widow spider Univ Nebraska , Lincoln Black widow spider (Includes spider bite symptoms California poison control system Black widow spider William F. Lyon, Ohio State University extension fact sheet Black widow spiders in the low desert Maricopa county cooperative extension, California Black widow spider pictures Survive Outdoors Inc MEDLINEplus Health Encyclopedia : Black widow spider Symptoms A.D.A.M. / National Library of Medicine Black widow spiders DesertUSA.com Black widow spider Eric Day, Virginia cooperative extension

32. How To Prevent, Exterminate Or Remove Black Widow Spiders From Your House And Ya Black Widow Spider Prevention Extermination Ways to Control Spiders In Your Home and Workplace. Outdoors. Remove or reduce trash and rubbage from your home or workplace (eg http://www.desertusa.com/july97/black_widow_spider_extermination.html

Home Shop Videos NewsBlog ... Shop DUSA FREE DESERTUSA NEWSLETTER Enter E-Mail address Subscribe Unsubscribe DesertUSA Quick Links Home Animals Colorado River Info Deserts ... Wildflower Reports 2010 Staff Blogs Desert Road Trippin' News Blog Shutterbug 101 Lara's Lane Reader Blogs Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians David J. Wood Discover Southern Nevada Mitch on the Move Mojo on the Mojave Desert Denizens Hotel Reservations Black Widow Spider Black Widow Spider: Overview Spider Bites Video Ways to Control Spiders In Your Home and Workplace Outdoors Remove or reduce trash and rubbage from your home or workplace (eg. woodpiles, boxes, plywood, tires, empty containers, etc.) Keep the outside permimeter of the house free from tall grass, weeds or shrubs especially near the foundation. Wear protective clothing including gloves and covered shoes when working outdoors Always check items that have been stored in the garage or in a shed or outdoors for spiders, webs or sacks before bringing item indoors. Indoors Keep beds away from the walls Don't store boxes or any items under your bed Keep dust ruffles or bed skirts from touching the floor Don't store shoes on the floor or any clothes, towels or other linens (always shake out shoes and clothes before using)

33. Black Widow Spiders The black widow spider, which is considered most venomous spider in North America, is a unique and interesting creature. Read all about it here. Black Widow Spiders. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/black-widow-spiders.html

Home World News Latest Articles Escape Hatch ... Endless Buzz Black Widow Spiders The black widow spider, which is considered the most venomous spider in North America, is a unique and interesting creature. Read all about it here. Widow spiders belong to the Latrodectus genus. While there are 31 species of widow spiders which occur all over the world, one of the best known ones – some would say the most infamous one – are the black widow spiders found in North America. Widow spiders are particularly notorious for their neurotoxic venom, which is very potent. The fortunate thing is that it can inject only a small amount each time it bites. North American Black Widow Spider Species Identifying Black Widow Spiders The most distinctive identification marks of the black widow spider are the two triangular shapes on the underbelly, in the shape of an hourglass, because of which it is also called the ‘Hourglass Spider’. This is usually red in color, although it can also be orange or yellow. The female black widow’s abdomen is spherical in shape, about half an inch long, and is usually jet-black in color, which is why it is also called the ‘Shoe Button Spider’. When measured with its legs spread, the female black widow’s length is about one and a half inches. The male black widow is half the female’s size, having a smaller body, with longer legs. It has white lines along its sides and red spots on its upper midline. The fangs of the female black widow are very small, which can just about penetrate the skin to enable the transfer of venom. The male’s fangs are much smaller and are less poisonous, and are not considered to be dangerous to people.

34. Black Widow Spiders - Bites, Treatment, Etc Black Widow Spiders. Black widows are identified by red hourglass markings on the underside of their abdomens. Black widows are shiny black in color. http://www.orkin.com/other/spiders/black-widow-spiders

35. Black Widow Spiders Hastings is a Biological Field Station of the University of California, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology and UC Natural Reserve System. http://www.hastingsreserve.org/Invertebrates/Arachnids/BlackWidows/BlackWidowSpi

Hastings is a Biological Field Station of the University of California, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology and UC Natural Reserve System. Gifts made Hastings possible- click here to contribute to our work in research and education. Home Research Resident Researchers Visiting Researchers Research Use Policy Teaching Teaching Use Policy Teaching at Hastings Affiliated Institutions Museum Vertebrate Zoology UC Natural Reserve System Berkeley Nat. Hist. Museums Organz. of Biol. Field Stations User Inquiries Calendar - Who is at Hastings? Pre-Arrival Information-Required To Use the Reserve Internship Opportunities ... Photo Gallery Data/Information Hastings Bibliography Current Weather Archived Weather Data Vegetation Data ... History of Hastings Natural History Amphibians - Reptiles Birds Geology Invertebrates - Insects, Spiders ... Webcams in Wildlands Newsletter, K-12 Current Newsletter Resources for K-12 Teachers Contact Us Office, Resident Staff

36. Black Widow Spiders | Bugs & Pest Database | Hulett Pest Control About Black Widow Spiders. Learn about the appearance, size, behavior, habitat, unique characteristics, and pest control methods for Black Widow Spiders in Florida. http://www.bugs.com/bugs_database/spiders/black_widow_spd.html

Pest Control Termite Control Lawn Care Commercial ... Bug Database Select a Pest Ants Bed Bugs Bees Beetles Fleas Flies Lawn Pests Rats Roaches Scorpions Spiders Termites Ticks Wasps Other Bugs Black Widow Spiders Brown Widow Spiders ... Yellow Sac Spider BLACK WIDOW SPIDERS Laterodectus mactans Appearance: The southern black widow spider is shiny black and the female usually has a red spot or hourglass shaped mark on the underside of the abdomen. Size: The body is about 3/4-inch long and the abdomen is about 3/8-inch in diameter. Behavior: Black widow spiders are often feared because of their painful bite. Children and the elderly are most as risk from complications due to a bite. However, such bites are rarely fatal. Black widows are actually timid and solitary. The only social life they exhibit is when they mate. They are cannibalistic and nocturnal. During the daylight hours, this spider spends its time in the silken tunnel of its web. The female will hang upside down displaying the red hourglass as a visible warning signal. They feed on insects and arthropods, and have an average lifespan of one year. Habitat: Black widow spiders are common around wood piles, and are frequently encountered when homeowners carry firewood into the home. they can also be found under eaves, in boxes, outdoor toilets, meter boxes, and other secluded areas. This widow spider is essentially a southern species, but ranges as for north as Massachusetts. It prefers dark sheltered spots close to the ground, but will spread web snares over plants.

37. Black Widow And Other Widow Spiders Management Guidelines--UC IPM BLACK WIDOW SPIDERS. Several species of black widow spiders are common in North America, but in the Western United States, the only species is the western black widow, Latrodectus http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74149.html

UC IPM Home Search How to Manage Pests Agriculture Natural environments Degree-days Identification Galleries Natural enemies Weeds Educational Resources Workshops and events Training programs Pesticide information Research and IPM Grants programs Funded-project results What's new Announcements ... Printer-friendly version How to Manage Pests Pests of Homes, Structures, People, and Pets Black Widow and Other Widow Spiders Published In this Guideline: Black widow spiders Brown widow spiders False black widow Management ... Glossary There are two species of widow spiders in California, the western black widow and the brown widow. Both are in the genus Latrodectus and are characterized by a similar body shape, reclusive habit, and haphazardly constructed cobwebs. BLACK WIDOW SPIDERS Several species of black widow spiders are common in North America, but in the Western United States, the only species is the western black widow, Latrodectus hesperus . Its habitat ranges from British Columbia to Mexico and throughout the Rocky Mountains to the western portions of the Great Plains. In California, it is a common desert spider that is able to survive very hot, dry conditions. However, black widows also can be found in mountainous terrains above the 5,000-foot elevation in Southern California where snow covers the ground every winter. Outside of California, they are common in urban Colorado and in Central and Eastern Washington state.

38. Black Widow Spiders: National Pest Management Association Pest Guide Black widow spiders are most recognized for the red hourglass shape under their abdomen. Contrary to legend, female black widow spiders rarely devour the male black widow spider http://www.pestworld.org/black-widow-spider

text size email print home About news blog ... contact Become a Member National Pest Management Association Inc. For Consumers Find a Pro Ask A Pro Pest Guide ... Pest Professionals TRANSLATOR Arabic Chinese French German Italian Japanese Korean Portuguese Russian Spanish Pest Guide Spiders Black Widow Spiders Black Widow Spiders Lactrodectus mactans Color: Black, with characteristic red "hourglass" on back Legs: Shape: Round Size: 3/4" length; 3/8" in diameter Antennae: False Region: Found throughout U.S. Black widow spiders are most recognized for the red hourglass shape under their abdomen. Contrary to legend, female black widow spiders rarely devour the male black widow spider after mating. Habits Black widow spiders spin their webs near ground level. They often build their webs in protected areas, such as in boxes and in firewood. Habitat Black widow spiders are often found around wood piles and gain entry into a structure when firewood is carried into a building. They are also found under eaves, in boxes, and other areas where they are undisturbed. Threats The venom of a black widow spider is a neurotoxin and is used as a defense. Black widow spiders do not bite humans instinctively. The black widow spider bite can cause severe pain. Young children and the elderly are especially susceptible to a severe reaction to a black widow spider bite.

39. Black Widow Spider Bite Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment And Prevention On EMedici Black widow spiders are nocturnal and, thus, are active at night. They prefer dark corners or crevices. They are said to avoid human dwellings, but you can find them in such areas http://www.emedicinehealth.com/black_widow_spider_bite/article_em.htm

Home Topics A-Z Slideshow Pictures Image Gallery ... Pet Slideshows Featured Slideshow Breast Cancer A Visual Guide to Breast Cancer View Slideshow Image Gallery (categories) ... Additional Skin Conditions Featured Image Picture of Psoriasis A reddish, scaly rash often located over the surfaces of the elbows, knees, scalp, and around or in the ears, navel, genitals or buttocks... View Image Gallery Quizzes ... eTools Featured Quiz Fat and Fats Quiz Everyone is talking about the importance of cutting back on fat. But why? What's the harm in a little fat? View Quiz About Us ... Site Map November 14, 2010 home topics a-z list black widow spider bite article Font Size A A A Glossary ... Next Page Black Widow Spider Bite Black Widow vs. Brown Recluse Spiders Slideshow Pictures Bad Bugs and Their Bites Slideshow Pictures Bites and Infestations Image Gallery Black Widow Spider Bite Overview ... Bites and Infestations - Image Gallery Black Widow Spider Bite Overview Of the 30,000 types of spiders, the black widow is probably the one best known and feared. Although spiders are often blamed for all kinds of symptoms, from local itching to diffuse rashes, the fact is that spiders rarely bite humans, and in fact, most spider bites do not even break the skin. The bites of very large spiders such as tarantulas can be painful. Otherwise, in the temperate regions, the only spiders to be feared are the black widow and the

40. Southern Black Widow Spider A Field Guide to Common Texas Insects, Bastiaan Drees and John Jackman. http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/cimg368.html

Field Guide Index Images and Sounds Entomology Home Insect Orders ... Next Southern Black Widow Spider Click on image to enlarge Southern black widow, Latrodectus mactans Fabricius (Araneae: Theridiidae). Photo by Jackman. Common Name: Southern black widow spider Scientific Name: Latrodectus mactans Fabricius Order: Araneae Description: There are more than 25 Latrodectus species world wide. Contrary to common belief, the female does not consume the male in most situations, except when held together in cages from which the male cannot escape. Examination of the genitalia is the proper way to identify species in this group. The species in Texas can be separated to some degree by the shape of the red markings on the abdomen and the location. The western black widow, Latrodectus hesperus L. hesperus have been found in which the adults retain their brilliant immature colors. Further west, the coloration of the species appears to grade back to black. The northern black widow Latrodectus variolus Walckenaer, usually has the hourglass divided, typically with red spots on the dorsum and white lines on the sides. This species occurs throughout much of the eastern half of the U.S.

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