Green Widow Spider?? - Leucauge argyrobapta

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… Jeff Hollenbeck, 6 September, 2018 - 11:25am

Green widow spider

Just found one of these in our holly tree next to our garage - had to call my brother to see if he could help identify it... He told me it was a "green widow spider", for a while his house was infested & he identified 4 different kinds of "widow" spiders using a Florida insect identification book he has. Just for info to everyone - said you didn't have a photo of the top of the abdomen, it is white w/ black stripes - VERY clear black stripes. Can be killed with ant spray, if anyone wants to know.

… Bridget Langer, 20 March, 2008 - 6:30pm

You can find lots of images

of the "top" of this species by clicking on the Images tab above the picture. This is not a 'widow'. It is not even in the same family as the widows. It is a perfectly harmless Orchard spider in the Tetragnathidae, and without a doubt, that can of ant spray is significantly more dangerous to you than she will ever be!! There is no need to spray her.

… john and jane balaban, 20 March, 2008 - 9:15pm

Leucauge venusta - Venusta Orchard Spider

Check out the images in the guide here

… john and jane balaban, 1 September, 2005 - 10:17pm

"Green Widow"

John & Jane - Looking through the spider books, I find no reference to a "green widow". Can you confirm that there is no such critter?

… John & Barbara Moerk, 20 March, 2008 - 9:11pm

Common names are always a problem

Is it possible that there is a group of people somewhere who refer to Leucauge as a "Green Widow"? Certainly a possibility. Does that make her dangerous to you? Not in the least. This is a Long jawed orb weaver. Widows are cobweb weavers, an altogether different family. Whatever English name you want to use, this is unquestionably an image of Leucauge venusta, a harmless and actually beneficial orb weaver.

… john and jane balaban, 20 March, 2008 - 9:20pm