Black Widow Spider

Scientific name: Latrodectus mactans (Fabricius)
(Araneae: Theridiidae)

Facts: Black widow spiders are shy and secretive and found in seldom-disturbed areas. The mature female has a characteristic hourglass-shaped, reddish orange marking on the underside of the abdomen. Black widow spiders are predaceous, devouring small arthropods trapped in their webs. Their bite is relatively painless at first, but may be followed in about an hour by intense pain and swelling. The venom causes nausea, cramps, lack of coordination, and difficulty breathing by interference in nervous functions. Death has occurred in individuals hypersensitive to the venom.

Photo credit: Extension Entomology, Texas A&M University