Western black widow
Latrodectus hesperus
The adult western black widow lives in dry, sheltered places such as crevices, rodent burrows, garages, woodpiles, and low vegetation in western North America. It builds an irregular, strong cobweb and waits hidden in a retreat until struggling insects become trapped. Its diet is mostly insects and other small arthropods, subdued with silk and a venomous bite. The adult female is famous for the red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen, and its venom is medically significant to humans though bites are usually defensive.
- Type
- Venom / Stealth
- Conservation status
- NE