Red Widow
Latrodectus bishopi
The Red Widow is a rare Florida-endemic spider with red legs, a black abdomen, and red-orange spots, usually found in sand pine scrub.
Red Widows live in dry scrub habitats, often building tangled webs inside palmetto leaves. The species has a limited Florida range and is seldom encountered around homes.
Females remain close to their webs and egg sacs. They are not aggressive, but venom is medically significant and handling must be avoided.
Habitat:
Pine Flatwoods and Sandhills, Scrub and Dry Prairie
Area / Range:
Central Florida, South Florida
Diet:
They capture beetles, crickets, roaches, and other insects in irregular strong silk webs.
Behavior:
Females hide in rolled palmetto leaves or web retreats by day and wait in the web after dark. Egg sacs are pale and smooth.
Night, Dusk
Active Times:
Best time to see:
Warm evenings in intact scrub and sand pine habitat, without reaching into palmetto crowns.
Florida Native Status:
Native endemic
Conservation Status:
Range-restricted to Florida scrub. Habitat loss and fragmentation are concerns even though no federal listing applies.
Safety Level:
Use Caution
Safety Information:
Never handle a Red Widow. Wear gloves when working in palmettos, shake out stored items, and seek medical advice after a suspected bite, especially for severe pain or muscle cramping.
Benefits to Property:
It consumes insects and contributes to the unique biodiversity of Florida scrub.
Property Concerns:
Home encounters are uncommon. Use gloves and careful inspection rather than broad pesticide treatment when working near dense palmettos.
Fun Fact:
The Red Widow occurs naturally only in Florida and is one of several widow species found in the state.
Wildlife Laws:
No special statewide listing applies. Collection on public conservation lands generally requires authorization, and protected scrub habitat must not be disturbed.
Identification:
Adult females have bright red-orange legs and cephalothorax, a glossy black abdomen with red-orange spots outlined in yellow, and no complete red hourglass. Young spiders show more pale markings.