North American Black Widow Spiders
Bites, Locality, and Commonality - Dispelling the Myths
Aug 20, 2009
Black widow spiders are often portrayed as vicious, vile creatures to be feared and hated. Some believe black widows to be the epitome of evil and darkness, out to harm humanity every chance they get. These spiders are included amongst Halloween monsters, their webs hiding ghouls and apparitions in many a holiday decoration or display. Further, they are often equated to the often-employed femme fatale figure in film and literature.
Is this tiny arachnid truly loathsome, or has misconception and paranoia created the monster from the misunderstood? This article takes a look at the facts and the myths surrounding the black widow spider.
- Myth 1: Black Widow Spiders Live in Everyone's Back Yard
Though most humans have likely never crossed paths with a real black widow spider, it is often construed that the species lives amongst humankind. They lurk in cellars, sheds and swing sets across North America, waiting for a taste of human flesh.
- Fact: Black Widows are Wide-Ranging, but They Don't Prefer Back Yards
According to Cyrus Dehkan, author of the article, "The Black Widow Spider: North America's Most Venomous Arachnid," three species of black widows are spread widely across North America:
"The southern black widow (L.mactans) inhabits the southeastern portion of the US, ranging from Florida north to New York, and west to Texas and Oklahoma. The northern black widow (L.variiolus) inhabits the northeastern part of the United States, as well as the southeastern part of Canada. The third variety, known as the western black widow (L.Hesperus) occupies the western parts of the US, as well as the majority of Mexico and the southwestern part of Canada."
In fact, National Geographic reports that species of black widow can be found in temperate regions around the world. However, their webs are rarely found in human dwellings. Black widows prefer dark, undisturbed areas, such as under rocks and logs in deep woods. According to a Broward University web article created by David Silber, the spider's webs have sporadically appeared in outhouses and barns, but generally, this is the extent of the widow's mingling with man.
- Myth 2: Black Widows can be Identified by a Red Hourglass Marking on Their Abdomens
The stereotypical photograph of a black widow portrays a shiny-black spider with a bulbous abdomen. On the underside of this abdomen is a red marking shaped like an hourglass.
- Fact: Female Black Widows can Generally be Identified by a Red Hourglass Marking
For the most part, the stereotype is accurate, at least as far as the North American female is concerned. However, the so-called "hourglass" has many variations, some of which don't resemble an hourglass much at all.
To add to the confusion, male widow spiders do not have the hourglass marking. Instead, they may have pairings of red circles along the sides of their abdomens or entirely different markings altogether. Males are smaller than females, approximately 1/4 inch to the female's 1-inch size.
- Myth 3: Female Black Widow Spiders Eat Their Mates
Female black widow spiders have a reputation for eating their mates. As many suppose, the unsuspecting male widow that has engaged in amorous activities with his bulbous black beauty soon discovers that his would-be soul mate has more carnivorous designs for him. But here's some food for thought: if female black widows actually don't eat their mates, have they wrongly been given the "widow" nomenclature?
- Fact: North American Female Black Widows Rarely Eat Their Mates
In captivity, female widows generally snack on their male counterparts after breeding. In the wild, this activity is uncommon, although not always for lack of trying. Not to equate them to human males, but male widow spiders don't stick around after sex. More often than not, they escape, off to find another partner.
- Myth 4: Black Widow Spiders Are Responsible for Many Deaths.
Is the black widow spider out to kill? Its venom is strong enough to stop a charging rhinoceros dead in its tracks. If one is bitten by a black widow, he or she is likely to die.
- Fact: Black Widow Spider Bites Can, but Rarely, Kill.
According to National Geographic, the black widow spider's venom can be more than 15 times as toxic as that of a rattlesnake. Fortunately, it can only inject small amounts of this neurotoxin, making fatalities therefrom rare:
"In humans, bites produce muscle aches, nausea, and a paralysis of the diaphragm that can make breathing difficult; however, contrary to popular belief, most people who are bitten suffer no serious damage - let alone death. But bites can be fatal - usually to small children, the elderly, or the infirm."
Much like the brown recluse spider, the bite of which is also the cause of mass hysteria, widows are not aggressive. Per National Geographic, they "bite only in self-defense, such as when someone accidentally sits on them."
- Precautions
Thus, a bite from a black widow is truly a rarity. However, there are a number of articles on the Internet that cater to black widow paranoia and will gladly instruct individuals to seal off their homes with plastic wrap and hide away from the outside world in order to avoid a bite from this over-sensationalized predator. Some more practical advice would be to not go out into the middle of the woods and kick over logs or pick up boulders. Wearing work gloves when moving woodpiles is also a good idea. And if one sees a black spider with a big butt and red markings, he or she should let that spider be.
For additional information on North American spiders, see this author's articles on hobo, daddy long-legs, and brown recluse spiders.
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