by Jeffrey S. Pippen | Back to Jeff's Spiders Page | Jeff's Nature Pages
Northern Black Widow (Latrodectus variolus) female Orange Co., NC 14 Mar 2008 In the NC piedmont, there are two species of black widow spiders, which are best distinguised by the shape of the hourglass on the underside of the abdomen. However, one may not always want to turn the spider over to inspect this mark! In addition to the famous hourglass mark under the abdomen, young adults often also have red markings on the upperside of the abdomen, like this individual. | |
Northern Black Widow (Latrodectus variolus) female with egg sac Orange Co., NC 14 Mar 2008 |
#2451 Black Widow (Latrodectus sp.) male roadside ditch edge along pine flatwoods in Craven Co., NC 21 Oct 2007 Males are relatively smaller bodied and longer legged than females and, unlike females, are harmless to humans. Thanks to Cassara Scott for identification assistance. | |
#2451 Black Widow (Latrodectus sp.) male roadside ditch edge along pine flatwoods in Craven Co., NC 21 Oct 2007 Both Northern Black Widow (L. variolus) and Southern Black Widow (L. mactans) occur in North Carolina. I'm not sure which species this is. |
Black Widow (Latrodectus sp.) female Orange Co., NC 27 Apr 2008 | |
Black Widow (Latrodectus sp.) female Orange Co., NC 27 Apr 2008 | |
Black Widow (Latrodectus sp.) female Orange Co., NC 27 Apr 2008 | |
Black Widow (Latrodectus sp.) female Orange Co., NC 27 Apr 2008 | |
Black Widow (Latrodectus sp.) female Orange Co., NC 27 Apr 2008 Close up of face |
Western Black Widow (Latrodectus hesperus) Whaley Draw, Missoula Co., MT 26 May 2016 This female is guarding her egg sac. |
Created on ... Jan 15, 2008 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com