Big Black Spider - No Markings - Latrodectus hesperus

Moved to Latrodectus hesperus

Moved from Spiders.

… Lynette Elliott, 1 September, 2012 - 8:57am

yep!

lynette is right again! L hesperus

… widowman10, 31 August, 2012 - 11:48pm

Anterior dorsum red mark

This spider has a red mark on the anterior dorsal abdomen. None of these pictures shows the spider at an angle that would allow us to see the hourglass. Are you saying there is no hourglass because you don't see them in the photos? Or have you been able to get a good look at the ventral abdomen (but not photograph it) and seen no hourglass?

… Joe Lapp, 26 July, 2012 - 9:05am

Moved to Spiders

Moved from ID Request. I'd like to get widowman's opinion on these before moving further into the guide.

… Lynette Elliott, 23 July, 2012 - 9:48am

Widow vs. False Widow

I think you should treat this as a widow. I'm guessing it's Latrodectus hesperus without the ventral hourglass. Sometimes the hourglass can be missing on a black widow (but not often). You also have Steatoda grossa in CA which looks very similar and never has an hourglass. However, I think the egg sac is a better match for Latrodectus hesperus because it's smooth and papery looking.

… Lynette Elliott, 22 July, 2012 - 5:09pm

Black Widow

Thank you, Lynette. Of course, *I* would get the anomaly :-) I just took a better photo, and there's actually a pattern on the carapace (just behind the head - hey, it's 65 years since I had Zoology). If you'd like to see it, I've just added it here.

Need some advice while I'm at it. I don't really mind black widows except when they're at the bottom of my mail box (and I have a picture of that, too). Should I let these hatch, or should I destroy the egg sac and remove the mom?

Btw, if the wrong message got through, I meant 1.5", not 3.5" which would rival out larger tarantulas here.

Ethan

… Ethan Winning, 22 July, 2012 - 5:30pm

Black widow

I find that these spiders are very calm and non aggressive. However, if it were my mailbox, I'd remove the spider & the egg sac either to a place away from my home or I'd just squish it with a stick. The spiders are fairly common and I don't see any reason to take any chances by leaving them where they could possibly end up in your mail some day.

… Lynette Elliott, 22 July, 2012 - 5:41pm

Black Widow

If I recall correctly, the black widow's bite is just a little worse than that of a tarantula. However, with tarantulas, I know where they live (on Mt. Diablo there's an annual migration in late September), and I'd just take him for a little drive. But I think I'll do what you say with the black widow. Too bad they don't keep down the brown recluse's population. Then I'd just put her and her egg sac in the water meter box!

Thanks again.

… Ethan Winning, 22 July, 2012 - 6:03pm

black widow's bite

The black widow is the most dangerous spider we have in the US. Its bite can cause severe reactions and even death. You can read more info on the guide page here.

… Lynette Elliott, 22 July, 2012 - 6:29pm

Black widow

So I take it that I can't leash train her.

I always thought the brown-recluse was the most dangerous in the US. Either way, I will dispose of m'lady tomorrow morning.

… Ethan Winning, 22 July, 2012 - 6:36pm

=] Not good pets

The recluse spiders are second on the list.

… Lynette Elliott, 23 July, 2012 - 9:04am