Arachnids of North Carolina
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View Theridiidae Members: NC Records

Steatoda grossa - false black widow


Female typical form with dimples
Female spotted form
Taxonomy
Order: ARANEAEInfraorder: AraneomorphaeFamily: Theridiidae                                                                                 
Comments: Can be found in mid-20th Century literature as Teutana grossa.
Species Comment: The generic name,"Steatoda," is from a greek word, meaning "tallow" or "suet," while the specific epithet, "grossa" is Latin and means "thick."
Identification
Online Description/Photos: BugGuide Google, iNaturalist, Wikipedia, GBIF
Comments: While bearing the American Arachnological Society's recognized common name "false black widow," many specimens are not black, but a purplish-brown, with white markings. The black individuals have no red markings, unlike the northern and southern black widows that occur in NC (Latrodectus varioulus and L. mactans, respectively). Also unlike Latrodectus spp., S. grossa's abdomen is oval, rather than teardrop-shaped. Females are readily distinguished from other NC Steatoda by examination of the epigynum (see comparison figure).
Total Length: Females 6-10mm; males 5.6-7mmAdult ID: identifiable by photo of specific features and/or supplementary info
Structural photos

Kaston, B. J. (1948). Spiders of Connecticut. Bulletin of the Connecticut State Geological and Natural History Survey 70: 1-874.
dbz2023-8-5001
Distribution in North Carolina
Comments: Typically found in coastal states.
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: in/on buildings, other sheltered locations
Observation Methods:
Abundance/Frequency:
Silk / Web: Typical tangled cobweb spider webbing in protected locations, and usually with numerous gumfoot lines.
Prey: As are many theridiid spiders, S. grossa is an opportunist, and has been noted to feed on widow spiders.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Steatoda grossa - false black widow

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

Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-01-30
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-01-30
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-01-12
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-01-12
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2023-08-31
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-08-23
Stokes Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Travis McLain on 2023-08-19
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dillon WARWICK on 2023-08-05
Johnston Co.
Comment: Epigynum shown in "Structural photos," above.
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2023-06-17
Avery Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Alyssa Landreth on 2023-05-12
Henderson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Alyssa Landreth on 2023-05-12
Henderson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Alyssa Landreth on 2023-05-12
Henderson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: R. Newman on 2022-10-18
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Donald Zepp on 2022-10-08
Johnston Co.
Comment: See epigynum in "Structural photos," above
Recorded by: Elizabeth on 2022-05-08
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Elizabeth on 2022-05-08
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Elizabeth on 2022-05-08
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-08-27
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-08-27
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2020-11-22
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: R. Newman on 2020-11-22
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2020-07-17
Polk Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2017-06-29
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2015-09-22
Scotland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2015-06-05
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: j.wyche on 2013-11-25
Gates Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: j.wyche on 2013-11-25
Gates Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Newman,Randy on 2006-04-12
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Newman,Randy on 2006-04-12
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Chris Helms on 2006-03-04
Columbus Co.
Comment: