Noble False Widow

The noble false widow (Steatoda nobilis) is a spider in the genus Steatoda, family Theridiidae, native to Madeira and the Canary Islands. It has since spread across Europe, North America, South America, and New Zealand and is considered one of the most invasive spider species in the world. Its brown abdomen carries cream markings often likened to a skull shape, its legs are reddish orange, and females measure 9.5 to 14 millimeters while males measure 7 to 11 millimeters. It is moderately medically significant, with most bites producing symptoms similar to a bee or wasp sting, though its venom contains latrodectus like toxins and it is frequently mistaken for the more dangerous black widow, which it superficially resembles.