BLACK WIDOW Latrodectus Mactans Order: Araneae Sub-Order: Labidognathae Family: Theridiidae Genus: Latrodectus Species: Mactans Male size: 6 (span 25 mm) Female size: 12 mm (span 40 mm) Habitat: Dry and warm areas Range: Worldwide

Identification

A distinct red hourglass on the underside of its spherical blackish and shiny abdomen marks it out and it's possible to find a red spot in the anal area, near spinnerets. Normally the anterior part of the marking is longer and wider than posterior one that appears more rounded. It's egg sac looks almost spherical and its colour is grey even when freshly made.


Behaviour

This spider inhabits settled and urban areas, its irregular web is built by a very strong silk and the favourite sites are rocks, plants, debris and ledges; cold weather and drought can induce it to find repair into buildings. They are not aggressive, have nocturnal habits and regularly stay hidden in its web but quickly may rush and bite when disturbed or when it realizes the danger. It feeds on others insects, prevalently cockroaches and beetles, and after trapping them in the web it makes small punctures in the prey body for sucking its liquid contents The Black Widow is preyed upon by Mud-Dauber wasps.