Latrodectus hesperus, the western black widow spider or western widow, is a venomous spider species found in western regions of North America.
The tensile strength for the three kinds of silk measured in the Blackledge study was about 1,000 MPa.
Females weigh 10-160 times as much as males, lending "weight" to the myth. Western widow female in web.
Western Black Widow (Latrodectus hesperus) The Western Black Widow is a species of venomous spider, indigenous to the western parts of North America. Widow spiders prefer to nest near the ground, in dark, undisturbed areas. At any time during the mating process, the female may interrupt and attack the male. Based on collected data, the geographic range for Latrodectus hesperus includes 3 countries and 9 states in the United States.
They grow, molting several times, with females typically becoming mature in about 4 to 6 months. Latrodectus is a broadly distributed genus of spiders with several species that together are referred to as true widows.
They were previously said to be a part of the subspecies Latrodectus mactans , also a close cousin of the northern black widow ( Latrodectus variolus ). This should be done before cold weather forces spiders (and many insects) into homes to seek shelter.
Male spiders less than half size of female. Level of Medical importance: females toxic, males and immatures much less so or harmlessWestern black widow spider for species, combfoot spiders for familyFor unknown reasons, many non-arachnological authors have misspelled the genus name as
Later studies split them into many separate species. Adult females are distinctively shiny and dark colored, generally black or occasionally dark-brown.The immature stages of both sexes and adult male widow spiders may have red or red-orange or yellow spots and stripes on the top of their abdomen. Undisturbed basement areas and crawl spaces of homes are also commonly colonized by widow spiders.When discovered they can be most effectively destroyed by crushing or vacuuming the web and spider, using protective methods (e.g., wear heavy, leather gloves). Epidemiology of latrodectism. Male widows, are less likely to be encountered than females. (The body of the males typically range from 1/8 to 1/4-inch in length.)
The pain may also spread to the abdomen, producing stomach cramping and nausea. resembles a cobweb made of strong, white silk, found under logs, rocks, big Even female spiders are timid and not likely to bite unless seriously provoked. Indoors, widows similarly occur in dark, undisturbed sites such as behind furniture or under desks. This group is composed of those often loosely called black widow spider, brown widow spiders, and similar spiders. Physical Description.
For example, horses are highly susceptible whereas rabbits are more resistant.
Therefore, widow spiders are most often found in abandoned rodent burrows, loose stone or wood piles, or the corners of rooms, garages, and outbuildings. Low shrubs are also common sites for widows. Latrodectus hesperus.
After this first molt, they leave the sac by cutting an opening with their fangs.
Immatures may hang in webs during the day.
In both species courtship is lengthy (2–3hfor L. hesperus and 0.5-1.0 h for T. agrestis). Well, I looked it up---LOL--(Useless Facts here --Ha ha!) Widow spiders prefer to nest near the ground, in dark, undisturbed areas.
They do not produce the symmetrical web typical of orb weaving spiders (Araneidae) or the distinctive dense and funnel patterned web of the common funnelweb spiders (Agelenidae).These harmless cobweb spiders are the same general shape as widow spiders, but are smaller and are either mottled brown or are dark brown or black with a white band around the front of the abdomen.
For control of the western widow these should be applied to specific areas most likely frequented by widows – dark, undisturbed sites where flying insect prey may occasionally pass. Taxonomic History. Other general symptoms include restlessness, anxiety, breathing and speech difficulty, and sweating. Western Widow Venom – L. hesperus one of the venomous spider and venom 15 times toxic than rattlesnake.
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Latrodectus hesperus Chamberlin & Ivie (Theridiidae) Common name.