Arachnids of North Carolina
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View Theridiidae Members: NC Records

Steatoda grossa - false black widow

Steatoda grossa
Female typical form with dimples		Steatoda grossa
Female spotted form		Steatoda grossa
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
Steatoda grossa
Kaston, B. J. (1948). Spiders of Connecticut. Bulletin of the Connecticut State Geological and Natural History Survey 70: 1-874.		 Steatoda grossa
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.
Steatoda grossa
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

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

Recorded by: Shana Lynn Winslow on 2025-03-23
Beaufort Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jennifer Raynor on 2025-03-18
Lee Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger and Shamiya Gaskin on 2025-02-11
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-10-14
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2024-09-21
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2024-09-21
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2024-09-21
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: D. McCoy on 2024-09-14
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-20
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-20
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Steven Acesta on 2024-08-20
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-06-18
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2024-04-16
Macon Co.
Comment: 		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: Michael P. Morales on 2023-10-22
Cumberland Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2023-10-22
Cumberland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2023-10-22
Cumberland 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 & Donald ZEPP 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