Western Black Widow - Latrodectus hesperus - BugGuide.Net

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Photo#221073

Copyright © 2008 Carol Davis

Western Black Widow - Latrodectus hesperus -

Antelope Island, Davis County, Utah, USA
September 2, 2008
Size: 1/4 inch

I've never seen a spider with a design like this. Anyone know what it is?

Images of this individual: tag all

Western Black Widow - Latrodectus hesperus - male

Western Black Widow - Latrodectus hesperus - male

Contributed by Carol Davis on 2 September, 2008 - 7:11pm
Last updated 4 September, 2008 - 10:43am

Our first thought is cobweb weaver

Theridiidae, but we don't recognize it either. Will keep looking

… john and jane balaban, 2 September, 2008 - 7:15pm

cobweb weaver is correct

and I think it may be the Western Black Widow. Though the coloring is strange, the markings seem to match. I'm not sure if this is an immature or a male or both.

… Lynette Elliott, 2 September, 2008 - 7:32pm

Way to go!

Good ID, Lynette! I never would have guessed a black widow. I imagine it's still too young to have the swollen palps. I also got a good picture of a female immature today just parked on the side of a bridge in the sun (at least I think it's a female...) It was a good day for BW's.

… Carol Davis, 2 September, 2008 - 8:38pm

Agreed.

Definitely a male western black widow. Great call, Lynette.

… Eric R. Eaton, 2 September, 2008 - 8:02pm

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