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Black Widow Spider

Black Widow Spider

Latrodectus mactans

Order: Araneae
Critical Risk

Description

The black widow is a venomous spider recognizable by its glossy black body and distinctive red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen. Female black widows are significantly larger than males and possess potent neurotoxic venom.

Habitat & Distribution

Dark, undisturbed areas such as woodpiles, garages, sheds, outdoor furniture, and crawl spaces.

Diet & Feeding

Flies, mosquitoes, grasshoppers, beetles, and other small insects caught in their webs.

Behavior & Life Cycle

Generally non-aggressive but will bite when threatened or accidentally pressed against skin. They build irregular, tangled webs.
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