Black Widows 40D0030968

Southern Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans)

Approach this spider with caution!

The Black Widow spider is a group of spiders which includes the Southern Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans), the Northern Black Widow (Latrodectus variolus), and the Western Black Widow (Latrodectus hesperus). The southern widow is primarily found in the southeastern United States, ranging from Florida to New York, and west to Texas, Oklahoma and Arizona, where they run particularly rampant. The northern black widow is found primarily in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada, though its ranges overlap that of L. mactans quite a bit. The western widow is found in the western United States, as well as in southwestern Canada and much of Mexico. Black widows range in the southern parts of British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario (only on the Bruce Peninsula).

Black Widows typically prey on a variety of insects, but occasionally they do feed upon woodlice, diplopods, chilopods and other arachnids. When the prey is entangled by the web, the Black Widow quickly comes out of its retreat, wraps the prey securely in its strong web, then bites and envenoms its prey. The venom takes about ten minutes to take effect; in the meantime, the prey is held tightly by the spider. When movements of the prey cease, digestive enzymes are released into the wound. The black widow spider then carries its prey back to its retreat before feeding.

Predators of the adult spiders include a few wasps, most notably the blue mud dauber, Chalybion californicum, and the spider wasp Tastiotenia festiva.

Black Widows have more potent venom than most spiders, and prior to the development of antivenin, 5% of reported bites resulted in fatalities. The venomc is neurotoxic and can cause a swelling up to 15 cm.

More info: [link]

Featured by the talented Luca in her "CRITTERS WHO LIVE AND LOVE WATER" journal: [link] .