Black Widow Spider
Black widows are identified by red hourglass
marking on the underside of their abdomens. Black widows are shiny black in
color. Most black widow spiders’ bodies are 3 to 10 mm in size. Females are
larger than males and can measure 13 mm in body length. These spiders are
members of the genus Latrodectus.
Black widow spiders
favor dark, secluded areas such as crevices and woodpiles. Inside the home,
black widows typically hide in sheltered, dimly lit locations such as garages,
dark corners, basements, closets and cluttered areas. They thrive primarily in
temperate zones and are known to be abundant in the American South.
Several species
of Latrodectus or “widow” spiders are present in North
America. The most common are: the southern widow (Latrodectus mactans)
found in the American South and Northeast; Latrodectus Hesperus found
in the west; the brown widow (Latrodectus geometric) found in the
South; and the northern widow (Latrodectus various) found in the
Northeast.
Like most spiders, the food source of the black widow spider includes a variety of arthropods, including ants, caterpillars, grasshoppers, beetles, cockroaches and scorpions, among others.
The black widow spider produces a protein venom
that affects the victim's nervous system.
This neurotoxic protein is one of the most potent venoms secreted by an animal.
Some people are slightly affected by the venom, but others may have a severe
response. The first symptom is acute pain at the site of the bite, although there may only be a minimal
local reaction. Symptoms usually start within 20 minutes to one hour after the
bite.
Large muscle groups (such as the shoulder or back muscles) are often
affected, resulting in considerable pain. In severe
cases, nausea, vomiting, fainting, dizziness, chest pain, and
respiratory difficulties may follow.
The severity of the reaction depends on the age and physical condition
of the person bitten. Children and the elderly are more seriously affected than
young adults.
In some cases, abdominal pain may mimic such
conditions as appendicitis or
gallbladder problems. Chest pain may be mistaken for a heart attack.
Blood
pressure and heart rate may be elevated. The
elevation of blood pressure can lead to one of the most severe complications.
People rarely die from a
black widow's bite. Life-threatening reactions are generally seen only in small
children and the elderly.