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Southern Black Widow

Latrodectus mactans

Published on Project Noah
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33.9762, -84.5797

Field Notes

Description:

This lovely lady was found in a wooded area in Northwest Georgia under a tarp.

Habitat:

Outdoors, black widow spider webs are usually built in woodpiles, rubble piles, under stones, in hollow stumps, and in rodent burrows. These spiders commonly occur in outbuildings such as privies, sheds, and garages. Indoors, they prefer undisturbed, cluttered areas in basements and crawl spaces.

Notes:

This spider is venomous and can harm people. However, the female injects such a small dose of venom that it rarely causes death. Reports indicate human mortality at well less than 1% from black widow spider bites.

Reference Links:

Southern Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans) - Information on Southern Black Widow, Latrodectus mactans, Species Latrodectus mactans - Southern Black Widow - BugGuide.Net

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (7)
QWMom
Love the hearts! Oh my! :)
Darvesh
i like the heart sign on the back of its hump..... ;-)
HemaShah
Hearts are spectacular. Marylou black widows are quite common in San Francisco. In fact i have some in my backyard. Here is my spotting of a black widow with a hour glass kind of marking. Not spectacular like yours,but a black widow nonetheless! http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/6670012
marylou.wildlife
Yes! I have never seen one with hearts like this. It seems as though their backs can be solid black or with any pattern of red spots... but I think the hearts are pretty special :) I especially think it's great because she is a highly venomous spider... oh the irony!
Ashish
Those Redback hearts are spectacular... Real star on Project Noah..!!

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Wildlife of the South East, USA
Mission
The Color Red
Mission
Animals with Warning Colors
Mission
Wildlife of Georgia
Mission
Dangerous Wildlife of Southeastern USA
Photographed
PublishedAugust 9, 2011

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