Black Widow Spider

Black Widow Spider

Black widow spider.

Source: U.S. National Park Service. Available online: http://www.nps.gov

Black widow spiders (Latrodectus mactans) are found throughout southern Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Female black widows are long-legged, shiny, coal-black spiders with an orange, red, or yellow hourglass shape on their underside. Female black widows are usually about 3.8 cm (1.5 in.) across but may be smaller.

Current as of: July 1, 2021

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
H. Michael O'Connor MD - Emergency Medicine