This looks like a Northern Black Widow, but I am unsure. It was large and had an eggsac. - Latrodectus variolus

HomeGuideID RequestRecentFrassForumsDonateHelp

Clickable Guide

Calendar

BugGuide Gathering
Pack Forest
Washington State
July 10-12, 2009
Details...

Photos from the 2009 gathering

Photos from the 2008 gathering in Tennessee

Photos from the 2007 gathering in Minnesota

TaxonomyBrowseInfoImagesLinksBooksData

Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Arachnids (Arachnida) » Spiders (Araneae) » True Spiders (Araneomorphae) » Entelegynes » Cobweb Spiders (Theridiidae) » Widow Spiders (Latrodectus) » Northern Black Widow (Latrodectus variolus)

Photo#290123

Copyright © 2009 olivia stark

This looks like a Northern Black Widow, but I am unsure. It was large and had an eggsac. - Latrodectus variolus

Wadmalaw Island, Charleston County, South Carolina, USA
June 15, 2009
Size: body was 1-1.5"

I know nothing about spiders but find them intriguing. Upon seeing this one and being certain it was a black widow, I did some research and thought it looked most like a Northern Black Widow. I would love a positive ID. I read that immatures have some red on the back, but I am pretty sure this one was full grown because it was large.- Olivia

Images of this individual: tag all

This looks like a Northern Black Widow, but I am unsure. It was large and had an eggsac. - Latrodectus variolus

tag · login or register to post comments

Contributed by olivia stark on 17 June, 2009 - 10:01pm
Last updated 24 June, 2009 - 7:50pm

Yay!

Thanks so much to both of you for the positive ID. I had looked at most of the pictures you suggested, which had originally led me to the conclusion that it was a Northern. I too was perplexed as to what it was doing down here in the South. Thanks again! I am definitely a beginner in spider identification, but it is a new interest of mine, and I am having fun!
Olivia

… olivia stark, 23 June, 2009 - 9:36am

Its definitely a Black Widow

NORTHERN! NORTHERN!! What are those darn yankee spiders doing in South Carolina!

Nice photo

… David, 19 June, 2009 - 8:08am

Yes

I think you have it right. Have you looked through these?

… Lynette Schimming, 17 June, 2009 - 11:19pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2009 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by Iowa State University Entomology.

Printer Friendly Version