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Photo#55105
Black Spider - Latrodectus variolus

Black Spider - Latrodectus variolus
Barrie, Simcoe, Ontario, Canada
June 1, 2006
I'm wondering whether this is a black widow spider? I spotted it this afternoon in my rock garden, it had just captured the green beetle. The web appears very strong, among other insects already trapped and killed in it were several honey bees and a dragonfly. After immobilising the beetle, it disappeared into a hole in the ground, beside one of the rocks. Thank you.

Images of this individual: tag all
Black Spider - Latrodectus variolus Black Spider - Latrodectus variolus

Moved
Moved from Latrodectus.

Widow and Tiger
This sure looks like a Black Widow, or at least some member of its genus (Latrodectus). And the beetle is a Six-spotted Tiger Beetle (Cicindela sexguttata).

Joshua S. Rose, Ph.D.
World Birding Center
Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park
joshua.rose_NO_SPAM@tpwd.state.tx.us
956-584-9156 x 236

 
I agree.
I agree with Dr. Rose:-) This is probably a northern widow, Latrodectus variolus, and a very fine image, too! Thank you for sharing.

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