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INTRODUCTION. These spiders get their common name from the popular belief that the female eats the male after mating, a phenomenon which rarely happens in nature.  The genus Latrodectus is worldwide in distribution, with 5 species occurring in the United States.  Recognition of the genus is sufficient for PCO purposes.

RECOGNITION. Adult female body length about 1/2in (12-13 mm) including an almost spherical abdomen about 1/4-3/8in (7.2-9.6 mm) in diameter, with overall length including legs of about 1 1/2-1 3/8in (38-43 mm); males about half female size.  Typically black, abdomen on ventral or underneath side with 2 reddish triangular markings usually joined to form a reddish hourglass-shaped marking but sometimes separated (split-hourglass); usually with red markings above spinnerets.  Females usually black (occasionally brownish black; red widow of Florida with cephalothorax and legs usually bright orange, sometimes yellow or brick red).  Males usually with color pattern on dorsal or upper surface, pattern variable but typically consists of a median row of red spots with white lines or bars radiating out to sides.  With 8 simple eyes.

     Young spiders primarily orange and white but acquire more and more black as they mature, with markings very similar to those of males.  With 1 or 2 reddish markings on underneath side of abdomen.

 

 

HABITS. Initially, the second instar spiderlings remain near the sac but within a few days they climb to a high point within suitable air currents, spin silk threads and float out on the breeze like kites.  This “ballooning” provides for general dispersal of the species.

     Outside, black widows commonly live among and under stones and pieces of wood, in hollow stumps and trees, in rodent burrows, and less often in low tree branches or shrubbery.  Favorite places are dry man-made structures including barns, outhouses, henhouses, sheds, meter boxes, brick veneer, barrels, and woodpiles.

     Indoors, they are typically found in seldom-used parts of garages and basements and in crawl spaces where their webs are usually about 1 foot (30 cm) in diameter.

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