Latrodectus mactans

(Fabricius, 1775)

Vernacular names
English : Southern black widow
French : Veuve-noire d’Amérique du Nord

Classification
Class : Arachnida
Order : Araneae
Family : Theridiidae
Notes : 2 subspecies sometimes recognized.

Identification
Body length (without legs) is 1.3 cm for females, half less for males. Spherical abdomen usually entirely black with distinctive red hourglass-shaped marking on belly. Long and slender legs.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in south-east USA from Ohio to Texas and Florida. Introduced to Hawaii. Mostly found around human settlement in hot and sheltered areas.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NOT LISTED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species’ status isn’t assessed. It is fairly common around its range. May be mistaken for other black widow species.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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