Arachnids of North Carolina
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Scientific Name: Common Name: Family (Alpha):
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View Theridiidae Members: NC Records

Latrodectus variolus - Northern black widow


Hourglass can be split in variolus
Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Theridiidae                                                                                 
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide, Google Images, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIF
Comments: Females are shiny black, brown-black, with possibly a row of red spots on the top of the abdomen along the midline. Two reddish triangles resembling an hourglass are present on the underside of the abdomen. The male’s abdomen usually has red spots along the upper midline and white lines or bars radiating out to the sides. (The number of bars can indicate which species.) hourglass primarily split or partial, when complete anterior and posterior halves generally proportional. Hourglass often split in middle, with both halves or one half prominent to reduced, or hourglass is partial (anterior or posterior half absent) with either posterior or anterior half prominent or reduced, or hourglass is completely absent. Adult males show same hourglass variations as adult females. Northern black widow males have a wider than long 2nd orange/red spot.
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments:
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Adult phenology:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: dry forest; large tangle of tough silk, retreat funnels into litter
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency:
Behavior: Females are sedentary, staying on or near their web. They will bite if molested. Males and immatures are harmless.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments:

Photo Gallery for Latrodectus variolus - Northern black widow

Recorded by: D. Schafer
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - Found near picnic area trapping a bee in its web. @ -76.694552, 36.437523		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Scott Bolick
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof, M. Smith
Beaufort Co.
Comment: GOCR - Caught in a drift fence near the outdoor classroom.
Recorded by: K. Bischof, M. Smith
Beaufort Co.
Comment: GOCR - Caught in a drift fence near the outdoor classroom.		Recorded by: K. Bischof
Transylvania Co.
Comment: GORG
Recorded by: K. Bischof
Transylvania Co.
Comment: GORG		Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - male on top of overhang of visitor center
Recorded by: J. Williams
Vance Co.
Comment: KELA - Male Black Widow		Recorded by: J. Jakubowski, K. Moore
Chatham Co.
Comment: JORD
Recorded by: K. Bischof
Burke Co.
Comment: LAJA - Obs. Paddy's Creek Area. Picnic area bathhouse. Female.		Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - male near outdoor classroom
Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - male near outdoor classroom		Recorded by: Jane Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - under plastic in yard at 358 Millpond rd.
Recorded by: FKW, A. Hobbs, J.Greenwood
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - Picnic shelter. 		Recorded by: FKW, A. Hobbs, J.Greenwood
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - Picnic shelter.
Recorded by: B. Bockhahn
Stokes Co.
Comment: HARO		Recorded by: Joel Jakubowski
Wayne Co.
Comment: CLNE
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Wilkes Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Owen McConnell
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: D. Harvey
Chatham Co.
Comment: JORD - Adult female with unusual amount of red markings on dorsal side of abdomen.		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Stokes Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn
Surry Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steve Hall
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steve Hall
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steve Hall
Orange Co.
Comment: