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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Chelicerates (Chelicerata) » Arachnids (Arachnida) » Spiders (Araneae) » True Spiders (Araneomorphae) » Entelegynae » Cobweb Spiders (Theridiidae) » Widow Spiders (Latrodectus) » Southern Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans)
Photo#564792
Black Widow - Latrodectus mactans - female
Copyright © 2011 Tim Fleming

Black Widow - Latrodectus mactans - Female
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, USA
August 8, 2011
Size: 1/4 of an inch
Found her on the job.
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Contributed by Tim Fleming on 18 August, 2011 - 1:48pm
Last updated 18 August, 2011 - 3:56pm

sexing widows
What determines that this is a female ??
… Gary Sargent, 3 October, 2011 - 4:22pm login or register to post comments

 
Sex?
For me I've had so much experience that I just know. Even though this is a juvenile, the real key is body size and shape! The males are so much smaller and don't have the bulbous abdomen.
… Tim Fleming, 4 October, 2011 - 7:33am login or register to post comments

 
Nice photo comparison below
… Maury J. Heiman, 3 October, 2011 - 9:53pm login or register to post comments

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