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Southern Black Widow, female (Latrodectus mactans)

The red hourglass-shaped marking on the ventral side of the body of this spider tells us it is a venomous Black Widow.

Description: This specimen is a female southern black widow. The body is a glossy black. This spider is about 1/2 inch in length. It has a very round body and long legs.

Habitat: Black widows are found under stones and fallen wood, in stumps and holes, and around human-made structures. The web is irregular thick silk. It is found in most of the United States, especially in the South.

Collection of the Illinois State Museum
Photographed by Dr. Everett Cashatt
Accession #:

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