Latrodectus mactans, commonly known as the southern black widow or simply the black widow, and also called the shoe-button spider, is a venomous species of spider in the genus Latrodectus native to North America. Females are recognized by their distinctive black and red coloring and are known to occasionally eat their mates after reproduction. Its venom can cause pain and other symptoms in humans but is rarely fatal to healthy adults. 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
System (Realm) Relationship to PeopleVenomous or Dangerous to Humans 1 Living or Extinct Comparison
NatureServe Rank CITES Appendix Scientific Name Conservation Status Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Wikidata: Latrodectus mactans
In Biome
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Latrodectus mactans
Desert, Biomes Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Latrodectus mactans
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 mactans
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyPrimary Diet, Latrodectus mactans
Primary Diet carnivore carnivore
Conservation Status: CITES
CITES No special status
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
While Latrodectus mactans are not aggressive and do not have the instinct to bite, their venom is neurotoxic, which means that it blocks the transmission of nerve impulses.
In Biome: Desert, Habitat Regions, biome: desert or dune
desert or dune desert or dune
In Biome: Chaparral, Habitat Regions, biome: chaparral
chaparral chaparral
View the Source 2. GBIF Species API
3. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ113297, descriptionView the Source 4. NatureServe Explorer: Latrodectus mactans
NatureServe ExplorerGlobal rank (roundedGRank)Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "GNR"
5. Wikidata: Latrodectus mactans
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 mactans
GBIF (IUCN Red List category)GBIF taxon key 2157949, category fieldQuote, GBIF taxon key 2157949, category field
"category": "NOT_EVALUATED"
Latrodectus mactans (Wikipedia)
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