Family: Theridiidae, Comb-footed Spiders view all from this family

Description Male 1/8" (3-4 mm), female 3/8" (8-10 mm). Black. Male's abdomen elongate with white and red markings on sides. Female's abdomen almost spherical, usually with red hourglass mark below or with 2 transverse red marks separated by black. Legs of male much longer in proportion to body than those of female. Spiderling is orange, brown, and white, gaining more black at each molt.

Warning Of all spiders, the Black Widow is the most feared. The female's venom is especially poisonous to people.

Food Insects.

Web Irregular mesh with a funnel-shaped retreat, built in sheltered spots.

Life Cycle Female rarely leaves web, stays close to egg mass, biting defensively if disturbed. Pear-shaped egg sac, 3/8-1/2" (8-12 mm) wide, is pale brown. Female stores sperm, producing more egg sacs without mating. Spiderlings disperse soon after hatching. Some females live more than 3 years.

Habitat Among fallen branches and under objects of many kinds, including furniture, outhouse seats, and trash.

Range Massachusetts to Florida, west to California, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas; most common in the South.

Discussion Despite its reputation, this spider often attempts to escape rather than bite, unless it is guarding an egg mass. Males do not bite. After mating, the female often eats the male, earning the name "widow."