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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Chelicerates (Chelicerata) » Arachnids (Arachnida) » Spiders (Araneae) » True Spiders (Araneomorphae) » Entelegynae » Cobweb Spiders (Theridiidae) » Widow Spiders (Latrodectus) » Northern Black Widow (Latrodectus variolus)
Photo#852614
Black widow - Latrodectus variolus
Copyright © 2013 Cecelia

Black widow - Latrodectus variolus
Camden, Kent, County, Delaware, USA
October 7, 2013
Size: body is 1/4 of an inch
I submitted the abdomin of this same spider, but this is the back (which confused me with the 4 red dots)

Images of this individual: tag all
Black widow - Latrodectus variolus Black Widow - Latrodectus variolus
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Contributed by Cecelia on 7 October, 2013 - 6:24pm
Last updated 27 December, 2015 - 2:44pm

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

There are five types of widow spiders in the US which all look different and all have a variety of patterns as they mature. Also the males look different than the females. You can see some of the variety I'm talking about by looking at the images on the genus info page here.

The black widows are the most dangerous spiders in the US. You can also read more about that on the info page.
… Lynette Elliott, 8 October, 2013 - 8:31am login or register to post comments

Black Widow
I sent in the abdomin picture, this is the back..is it venomous or harmless??
… Cecelia , 7 October, 2013 - 6:27pm login or register to post comments

 
Well...
All spiders are venomous...this is 100% confirmed black widow. The venom is dangerous so be cautious. If you don't know already that black widows are potentially dangerous then now would be a great time to start learning. Though the spider is non-aggressive and certainly not bad tempered, it pays to be careful around these guys. I usually just drive out to the country and let them go but if you do decide to kill it, I won't feel TOO bad.
… Chao "Jimmy" Wu, 7 October, 2013 - 6:35pm login or register to post comments

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