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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Arachnids (Arachnida) » Spiders (Araneae) » True Spiders (Araneomorphae) » Entelegynes » Cobweb Spiders (Theridiidae) » Widow Spiders (Latrodectus) » Brown Widow (Latrodectus geometricus)
Photo#81946
Dark brown - Latrodectus geometricus - female
Copyright © 2006 Don Cadle

Dark brown - Latrodectus geometricus - Female
Boynton Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida, USA
She produced this drop of fluid from her mouth as I was taking pictures of her. It was not sticky or thick but watery. I've seen Phids produce a drop of fluid and hold it between their fangs. Then they use their palps to "clean" themselves with it. I don't know if this substance is similar to that or something entirely different.

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Dark brown - Latrodectus geometricus - female Dark brown - Latrodectus geometricus - female Dark brown - Latrodectus geometricus - female Dark brown - Latrodectus geometricus - female
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Contributed by Don Cadle on 7 October, 2006 - 2:18pm

Thanks
for good images of a black brown widow.
The fluid is most likely regurgitation resulting from stress created by disturbing her for the photos, or blood.
… Jeff Hollenbeck, 7 October, 2006 - 9:23pm login or register to post comments

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