Black widow spider


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Black widow spider


Photograph of a Black widow spider.

Source: U.S. National Park Service. Available online: http://www.nps.gov

Black widow spiders (Latrodectus mactans) are found throughout the United States. Female black widows are long-legged, shiny, coal-black spiders with an orange, red, or yellow hourglass shape on their underside. Female black widows are usually about across but may be smaller.

Credits


Primary Medical Reviewer William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Sean P. Bush, MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine and Envenomation Specialist
Last Updated February 1, 2008

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