Brown Widow? - Latrodectus geometricus

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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Chelicerates (Chelicerata) » Arachnids (Arachnida) » Spiders (Araneae) » True Spiders (Araneomorphae) » Entelegynae » Cobweb Spiders (Theridiidae) » Widow Spiders (Latrodectus) » Brown Widow (Latrodectus geometricus)

Photo#618084

Copyright © 2012 Michael A. Cruz

Brown Widow? - Latrodectus geometricus -

Orlando , Orange County, Florida, USA
March 4, 2012

I found this spider under my wife's patio chair. After capturing it in a plastic jar I took photos of its dorsal. Not being too keen on flipping the spider over for a ventral shot, the dorsal would have to do. I downloaded the photos to make sure the shots were okay before I released the spider. When I went back to the spider, it was on its back. I shook the jar, there was no response. I thought the spider had died. Since the ventral was exposed, I took a few shots. The spider started moving so I took it to a brush pile out back and released it. Do these spiders play possum?

Images of this individual: tag all

Brown Widow? - Latrodectus geometricus - female

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Contributed by Michael A. Cruz on 4 March, 2012 - 4:11pm

Theis species is a non-native

Theis species is a non-native noxious pest. In some areas, they appear to have displaced our native widows. I squish'em.

… Ian Stocks, 5 March, 2012 - 3:44pm

play possum

Nice pictures. Click the Info tab above for a full description.

… Steve McKechnie, 5 March, 2012 - 8:30am

Brown Widow

Thanks Steve!

… Michael A. Cruz, 5 March, 2012 - 5:52pm

Moved

Moved from Spiders.

… john and jane balaban, 4 March, 2012 - 5:11pm

Yes, that's definitely a brown widow.

… John Sloan, 4 March, 2012 - 4:14pm

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