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, 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:
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Behavior: Females are sedentary, staying on or near their web. They will bite if molested. Males and immatures are harmless.
Status in North Carolina
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 Photo Gallery for Latrodectus variolus - Northern black widow

41 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-15
Hertford Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-03-15
Hertford Co.
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Recorded by: Travis McLain on 2023-07-21
Gaston Co.
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Recorded by: Travis McLain on 2023-07-21
Gaston Co.
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Recorded by: Trip Holzwarth on 2023-05-26
Dare Co.
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Recorded by: Trip Holzwarth on 2023-05-26
Dare Co.
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Recorded by: A. Ledford on 2023-05-26
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: Travis McLain on 2023-03-24
Rowan Co.
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Recorded by: Travis McLain on 2023-03-24
Rowan Co.
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Recorded by: Travis McLain on 2023-03-24
Rowan Co.
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Recorded by: D. Schafer on 2023-03-04
Gates Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2022-05-01
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2022-03-17
Scotland Co.
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Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2022-03-17
Scotland Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-09-15
Wilkes Co.
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Recorded by: j.wyche on 2017-04-29
Gates Co.
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Recorded by: j.wyche on 2017-04-29
Gates Co.
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Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2016-10-18
Scotland Co.
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Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2016-10-18
Scotland Co.
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Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2016-10-18
Scotland Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2016-07-21
Stokes Co.
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Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2015-07-06
Burke Co.
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Recorded by: B. Bockhahn on 2015-05-19
Stokes Co.
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Recorded by: J. Jakubowski, K. Moore on 2015-04-29
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2014-05-20
Surry Co.
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Recorded by: j.wyche on 2013-06-08
Gates Co.
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Recorded by: J. Williams on 2013-05-26
Vance Co.
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Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2012-01-26
Transylvania Co.
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Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2012-01-26
Transylvania Co.
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Recorded by: Jane Wyche on 2010-07-21
Gates Co.
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