Southern Black Widow
Latrodectus mactans
A medically important Florida spider whose adult female is glossy black with a red hourglass beneath the abdomen.
Southern Black Widows build irregular strong webs in dark, dry, protected spaces. They often remain hidden in a retreat during daylight and wait near the web after dark.
Bites are uncommon and usually occur when a spider is trapped against skin or disturbed in stored materials. Females defend egg sacs more readily than an undisturbed web.
Habitat:
Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Agricultural Areas, Urban and Residential Areas
Area / Range:
Statewide
Diet:
Captures flies, mosquitoes, beetles, roaches, crickets, and other insects in a tangled web.
Behavior:
Mostly nocturnal and nonaggressive. The spider hangs near the web, retreats from disturbance, and bites mainly in defense.
Nighttime
Active Times:
Best time to see:
After dark in sheltered webs around woodpiles, sheds, garages, meter boxes, and outdoor furniture.
Florida Native Status:
Native
Conservation Status:
Not federally or state listed; widespread but usually hidden.
Safety Level:
High. Venomous
Safety Information:
Wear gloves when moving stored items, inspect outdoor furniture, and keep hands out of unseen spaces. If bitten or symptoms develop, contact poison control or seek medical care promptly.
Benefits to Property:
Consumes pest insects around sheds, garages, crawlspaces, and landscape structures.
Property Concerns:
Webs in hand-contact areas create bite risk. Clutter, stored materials, unused equipment, and sheltered cracks provide hiding sites.
Fun Fact:
- Only females pose the primary medical concern.
- The red hourglass is on the underside of the abdomen.
- Their silk is unusually strong for its thickness.
Wildlife Laws:
No special wildlife protection applies. Pesticides must be used exactly according to label directions and with safeguards for people, pets, pollinators, and water.
Identification:
Adult female has a shiny black rounded abdomen and a red hourglass marking on the underside. Males and juveniles are smaller with pale or reddish markings.