Western Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus hesperus) on Jan 2, 2009
Submitter has sample
Description of specimen
Small arachnid of similar size and appearance to western black widow (Latrodectus hesperus). Black, pea-shaped abdomen with yellow spot located directly behind cephalothorax and reddish brown stripe running down center of abdomen from yellow spot to anus. Underside of abdomen marked by brown hourglass shape. Preliminary research suggests specimen may possibly be female redback spider (Latrodectus hasseltii) indigenous to Australia. Note: location of find was absent of web.
Please confirm species since female Latrodectus hasseltii and female Latrodectus hesperus both have highly venomous bites.
Reporter
Jan. 2, 2009, 6:19 a.m.
Lisa DeBruyckere
Jan. 2, 2009, 11:40 p.m.
The spider pictured is a male, note the swollen tips of the palpi (the short leg like structures attached to the head). Male Latrodectus hasseltii are about 4 mm (rarely seen) and the body light brown, with no red markings.
Your spider is a male Latrodectus hesperus. Males of all Latrodectus sp. are rarely seen and are quite valuable to research collections. If you would like to capture, freeze and then submitted with an alcohol soaked piece of paper towel to the OSU Insect ID Clinic (http://www.science.oregonstate.edu/bpp/Plant_Clinic/Insect%20ID%20Form.pdf) I will see that it is deposited into the Oregon State Arthropod Collection.
Lisa DeBruyckere
Jan. 3, 2009, 10:51 a.m.