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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#75297
Female Black Widow - Latrodectus mactans - female
Copyright © 2006 Leslie Durham

Female Black Widow - Latrodectus mactans - Female
Dixon, Phelps County, Missouri, USA
September 4, 2006
Size: 1in leg span
I never know if another picture is needed (since I'm really new at this) so I thought I'd post these pictures. I won't get my feelings hurt if they end up in frass, she was just a huge female under a cinderblock next to our shed. Also, I don't know if there's any significance to the fact that she has the red on her back and some are all black.

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Female Black Widow - Latrodectus mactans - female Female Black Widow - Latrodectus mactans - female
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Contributed by Leslie Durham on 5 September, 2006 - 5:51pm
Last updated 19 September, 2006 - 6:13pm

Female Black Widow - Latrodectus mactans
that is not L.mactans that is L.variolus
… black widow, 9 July, 2009 - 9:53pm login or register to post comments

This
is more likely a L. mactans. Adult female mactans often retain portions of their juvenile markings, as seen here. Also, L. variolus usually have split hourglasses, but when the hourglass is fused, it would resemble this one most likely. It would be very suprising to see a variolus with such a well developed hourglass.
… Jeff Hollenbeck, 5 September, 2006 - 9:13pm login or register to post comments

 
would any other view help with the ID
Chances are, she's still there. If she is, I would be willing to take additional photos to help with ID.
… Leslie Durham, 5 September, 2006 - 9:16pm login or register to post comments

 
Probably
not. I would think the ventral view is enough.
I think it's safe to go with mactans.
… Jeff Hollenbeck, 5 September, 2006 - 9:34pm login or register to post comments

Northern Black Widow
To be more specific, this is most likely the Northern Black Widow (Latrodectus variolus). They have the spots on the back.
… Michael Garcia, 5 September, 2006 - 8:26pm login or register to post comments

Good move! When in doubt, post it.
In the unending quest for ID, I've sent in some things that, to me, looked like real junk. In at least two cases, these flawed photos proved useful for the site. You never know...
… Ron Hemberger, 5 September, 2006 - 8:03pm login or register to post comments

 
thanks
I'm always afraid I'm being irritating, but I really enjoy taking these photos (and noone around here is interested). My family thinks I'm weird that I get excited when I find an insect that poses for me. I'm learning so much from you all!
… Leslie Durham, 5 September, 2006 - 8:23pm login or register to post comments

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