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Black Widow

The Black Widow spider (Latrodectus spp.) is a spider notorious for its neurotoxic venom (a toxin that acts specifically on nerve cells). The name ‘black widow’ refers to their distinctive dark coloration and the red hourglass pattern on their abdomen. Currently, there are three recognized species of black widow found in North America: The southern black widow (Latrodectus mactans), the northern black widow (Latrodectus variolus) and the western black widow (Latrodectus hesperus).

 

Black Widow Bites: Symptoms And Treatment

Posted by Suzy in Black Widow on June 16, 2010 | 1 Comment

The males black widow spiders do not bite. But female black widows do when their webs are disturbed by people. This usually happens when people are moving items or debris and unknowingly disturb the spider. Areas like sheds, utility boxes and other often undisturbed areas are prime habit for these spiders, so people need to [...]

Black Widow Spider Pictures

black-widow-spider
Posted by Suzy in Black Widow on March 9, 2010 | No Comments

The while it isn’t aggressive, the black widow spider still makes people uneasy.  It’s powerful venom is enough to give most people pause. The following are pictures of the black widow spider.  They show the distinct black body shape and the red hourglass shape on the bottom of the spider.  These black widow spider pictures [...]

The Fearsome Black Widow Spider

Black Widow Spider
Posted by Suzy in Black Widow on October 31, 2009 | 1 Comment

Few spiders have a well deserved notoriety to match the black widow. Everyone knows that the female will get her eggs fertilized and then eat the male, thus becoming a widow. While this may happen to most such spider couples, it is not necessarily the universal rule. Ever so many stories and movies have been [...]