Black Widow Spider | Latrodectus mactans

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Home > Animal Guides > Spiders > Black Widow Spider

Black Widow Spider
Latrodectus mactans

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Size: Female is larger, 1 to 1.5 inches in size. The weight is 1 gram.

Range: North America

Habitat: Dark areas; prefers wooden structures such as log piles, fallen logs or barns

Diet: Insects

Breeding: Mating season begins in the

Nesting: egg sac with between 100-400 eggs located in a dark secluded area.

Warnings: Poisonous! The venom of the female can be very potent.

Description & Behavior
The female Black Widow spiders are black with a red hourglass shape on the underside, males are dark brown in color with no red marking, but is spotted and may have yellow and red bands on the back.