Widow spider

Widow spiders (Latrodectus)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Arachnida Order: Araneae Family: Theridiidae Genus: Latrodectus

There are several species of widow spider, members of the spider genus Latrodectus. They are all similar in appearance and habits, and occur worldwide in warm countries.

The world-famous black widow spider, Latrodectus mactans, has a prominent red hourglass figure on the bottom of its abdomen. Many of the other widow spiders have red patterns on a black or dark background, a clear warning that they are not to be trifled with. Some of the more well known species of widow spiders are listed below, together with some of the areas where they are found. This list should not be considered complete.

• Latrodectus geometricus Africa, U.S.A.
• Latrodectus curacaviensis Americas
• Latrodectus geometricus South Africa
• Latrodectus hasselti the red back spider, Australia
• Latrodectus hystrix S Europe, N Africa, SW Asia
• Latrodectus dahli S Europe, N Africa, SW Asia
• Latrodectus hesperus western US
• Latrodectus indistinctus S. Africa
• Latrodectus lugubris in Kazakhstan and Central Asia
• Latrodectus mactans, the black widow spider, warm regions of the U.S.A.
• Latrodectus pallidus S Europe, N Africa, SW Asia
• Latrodectus rhodesiensis, South Africa
• Latrodectus tredecimguttatus Mediterranean area
• Latrodectus bishopi Florida, USA
• Latrodectus variolus Florida, USA