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Latrodectus hesperus

Arachnids

Latrodectus hesperus, commonly known as the western black widow spider or western widow, is a venomous spider found across western North America, from southwestern Canada and the Pacific coast through Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and into Mexico. Females measure 14 to 16 millimeters in body length and are black with an hourglass shaped marking on the underside of the abdomen, usually red but sometimes yellow or white; males are about half the size and generally beige with lighter striping. The species builds irregular, messy webs rather than an organized spiral or tunnel shape. Its venom is a potent neurotoxin that causes pain, nausea, vomiting and localized sweating in humans, though a study of more than 23,000 documented bites between 2000 and 2008 recorded no fatalities. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts
Classification
Diet
Carnivore 1
System (Realm)
Terrestrial 2
Relationship to People
Agricultural or Structural Pest 1
Living or Extinct
Yes 3
Comparison
NatureServe Rank
G5 Secure 4
CITES Appendix
Not Listed 1
Scientific Name
Latrodectus hesperus 5
Conservation Status
Not Evaluated 6
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Source Wikidata: Latrodectus hesperus

In Biome

Desert, Biomes
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Latrodectus hesperus
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sources
1. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Latrodectus hesperus
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
  • Primary Diet, Latrodectus hesperus
    Primary Diet carnivore carnivore
  • Economic Importance for Humans: Negative Impacts
    Negative Impacts injures humans bites or stings venomous venomous household pest
  • Conservation Status: CITES
    CITES No special status
  • In Biome: Desert, Habitat Regions, biome: desert or dune
    desert or dune desert or dune
View the Source
2. GBIF Species API
GBIF Species APIView the Source
3. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ113414, descriptionView the Source
4. NatureServe Explorer: Latrodectus hesperus
NatureServe ExplorerGlobal rank (roundedGRank)
Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "G5"
View the Source
5. Wikidata: Latrodectus hesperus
Child Taxon Of: Black Widow Spider, Wikidata P171 (parent taxon) claim, rank=normal, target=Q385932 (Black Widow Spider)View the Source
6. GBIF (IUCN Red List category): GBIF IUCN Red List category for Latrodectus hesperus
GBIF (IUCN Red List category)GBIF taxon key 2157942, category field
Quote, GBIF taxon key 2157942, category field
"category": "NOT_EVALUATED"
View the Source
Latrodectus hesperus (Wikipedia)
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