Western black widow female

Western Black Widow Female, Mature, male Western Black Widow spiders are much smaller - approximately 1/3 the size of the female. 5 mm (1/4-1/3 inch). Females are also much larger than their male counterparts at around 3. 1: Black widow female hanging upside down in her web. 5 inches body, displaying the full coloration and presence this species is prized for in the hobby. Black Widows in Montana (Latrodectus hesperus) The western black widow, Latrodectus hesperus, is present throughout Montana. A female western black widow typically lays about 300 eggs per sac. The female western black widow spider has the characteristic red or orange hourglass shape on the underside of The spider species Latrodectus hesperus, commonly known as Western Black Widow, belongs to the genus Latrodectus, in the family Theridiidae. The distinguishing feature of all widows (Latrodectus spp. San Joaquin County, California. Females measure about 8-16 mm in body length, while males are much smaller (3-6 mm) and lighter in color with cream or white banding. Home Page - UC Statewide IPM Program. The female black widow's bite is particularly harmful to humans because of its unusually large venom glands. Sep 11, 2020 · The larger female Western black widow looks very similar to the Northern black w idow and the Southern black widow female. Based on collected data, the geographic range for Latrodectus hesperus includes 1 countries and 10 states in the United States. Western black widow spider, Latrodectus hesperus Order: Araneae Family: Theridiidae Description The western black widow spider is the most common of the Latrodectus spp. Jun 14, 2026 · Western Black Widow (Latrodectus hesperus): female body 8–16 mm, medically significant. If you live anywhere from British Columbia down to Texas, this is the black widow species you’re most likely to run into — around your garage, under a porch rail, or tucked inside a woodpile. Webs are usually built near to the ground. This "hourglass" mark can be yellow, and on rare occasions, white. It is a common spider in San Diego County. Adults Nov 22, 2025 · Western black widow vs other black widow species Western vs general “black widow” The term “black widow” refers to a group of Latrodectus species, not just one. The western species is the most common widow in western North America and differs in coloration, markings, and distribution from its southern and northern counterparts. Latrodectus hesperus, the western black widow spider or western widow, is a venomous spider species found in western regions of North America. inhabiting Colorado. Feb 13, 2026 · The Western Black Widow still has a poisonous venom that demands immediate medical attention if one is bitten. Identification Mature females of the western widow spider are generally round in form with a bulbous abdomen. Adult female western black widows have a shiny, jet-black body with a round, globular abdomen. This species can be found in all four of the deserts of the American southwest. The best indicator for a western black widow is the geographic location. Latrodectus hesperus — commonly known as the Western Black Widow — is a New World terrestrial species with a natural range spanning North America. Apr 26, 2025 · The female Western Black Widow can live between 1 and 3 years, while males live only a few months. ) is the presence of a red or red-orange “hourglass” pattern on the Female western black widow spider (Latrodectus hesperus) with a honey bee as prey. The female's body is 14–16 mm (1/2 in) in length and is black, often with an hourglass -shaped red mark on the lower abdomen. Do female black widow spiders really eat their mates? Find out this and other facts about this distinct group of arachnids. It builds a messy web, often near the ground, under overhangs, ledges, and benches, and likes to dwell in barns and garages. Western Black Widows are the only black widow species that are native to California. Western black widows are small, with a shiny black color. Solano County, California. 5 inches including legs More potent venom, making it more medically significant Male Western Black Widow Spider Much smaller than females Brown or gray in color with lighter markings or stripes Less dangerous, with weaker venom Juvenile / Immature Western A member of the family Theridiidae, this genus contains 34 species, [8] which include several North American "black widows" (southern black widow Latrodectus mactans, western black widow Latrodectus hesperus, and northern black widow Latrodectus variolus). Apr 10, 2026 · Female Western Black Widow Spider Glossy jet-black body with a clear red hourglass marking on the underside Larger size, typically around 1. 5 cm. Black Widow is considered the most venomous spider in North America. Latrodectus hesperus is most often sighted Latrodectus hesperus, the western black widow spider or western widow, is a venomous spider species found in western regions of North America. Western Black Widow (Latrodectus hesperus). The female's body is 14–16 mm (1/2 in) in length and is black, often with an hourglass-shaped red mark on the lower abdomen. Because females can store sperm from their only mating, they can produce more than 10 egg sacs without subsequent matings and without a decrease in the number of eggs or a reduction in the percentage of eggs that will successfully hatch into spiderlings. In ideal conditions, adults reach a legspan of 1. SPI0203 This black widow's tangle web might just look like a chaotic mess to humans, but black widow silk is actually stronger than steel and is being studied for potential medical and military applications. Western Black Widow Latrodectus hesperus At Lindsay Wildlife Experience, we have two female black widows that both came to us in December of 2023: Dahlia and Gwen. The western black widow occupies the arid western half of the continent and is the widow species responsible f… Geographic Range Westerm black widow spiders, Latrodectus hesperus , live in the warmer regions of the United States. They are infamous for the red hourglass shape on the bottom of their abdomens, however that characteristic is only seen on female black widows. Black widows get their name from their courtship behavior and coloration. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Photo by Lauren Kerzicnik The mature female, ½ inch (13 mm), is jet black with a red hourglass on the underside of the abdomen (Figure 1). Webs are Dec 13, 2022 · Female: The western black widow female's body is about half an inch long. Latrodectus hesperus, the western black widow spider or western widow, is a venomous spider species found in western regions of North America. The key identifying feature is the red or orange hourglass-shaped marking on the underside of the abdomen. Female Western black widow Latrodectus hesperus Araneae: Theridiidae © Peter J. The female Black Widow will, on occasion, kill and eat the male after they mate. 5 inch, with a leg span of 1. After mating, females lay several silk egg sacs, each containing hundreds of eggs. This "hourglass" mark can be red, yellow, and on rare occasions, white. Only the female Black Widow is dangerous to humans; males and juveniles are harmless. Besides these, North America also has the red widow Latrodectus bishopi and the brown widow Latrodectus geometricus, which, in addition to The western black widow (Latrodectus hesperus) is the most common venomous spider across the western United States and parts of Canada and Mexico. Description Fig. Sep 17, 2026 · The reputation of a black widow spider is fierce, but in reality, they are loner pacifists that only bite when necessary. Learn to identify the western black widow through its glossy black body, red hourglass marking, and desert-adapted habitat. If you spot a black widow spider in California or on the Northern Pacific Coast, you are most likely looking at a Western widow spider. 5 to 2 inches. They usually reach a length of 1/4 to 1/3 inch. Females have a complete hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen, which is usually completely black except for a small reddish spot near the tip. Bryant Back to Spider index page Back to Arthropods of Orange County, California Back to Natural History of Orange County, California Female feeding Female with egg sac Newly hatched first instars The average size of mature, female Western Black Widow spiders is approximately . Common symptoms right after a bite include (in no particular order): pain at the bite site, sweating, redness at the bite site, difficulty breathing, muscle spasms or tightness, vomiting, a burning sensation and possible chest pain Latrodectus hesperus, the western black widow spider or western widow, is a venomous spider species found in western regions of North America. Latrodectus hesperus spiders have been sighted 52 times by contributing members. Biogeographic Regions nearctic nearctic native Habitat Black widow spiders live under ledges, rocks, plants, and different types of debris. Females are usually black or dark brown and rarely grow larger than 6. The male The female Western Black Widow (Latrodectus hesperus) is the most well known of the widow spiders with its shiny black abdomen and red hourglass on its underside. Black Widow Spider Latrodectus hesperus Family: Theridiidae Other common names: western black widow Spanish name: viuda negra Description The female of this sexually dimorphic species is usually ¼ to ¾ inch (12 to 19 mm) in body length, shiny black or very dark brown, with a large rounded or oval abdomen which is characterized by a bright red-orange hourglass shape on the underside. 4-8. Males are usually half that size. This 'hourglass' mark can be yellow, and on rare occasions, white. Adult females are distinctively shiny and dark colored, generally black or occasionally dark brown. n3ck, hqur9, dr, z39nc, oiq, sqwdq, fphh, hior, ggd9, muj,