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Female Black Widow Spider

The female black widow spider has a reputation for its cannibalistic behavior. For years the story has been spread that some females consume their mates following copulation. Female black widows are more threatening to humans than their male counterparts, as their venom is potent and they are more likely to bite. Female black widow spiders can be very aggressive when protecting their egg sacs.  Female black widow spiders typically survive between one and three years.

The female black widow spider's body averages nine millimeters in size. They have long, slender legs and round abdomens. On the underside of the abdomen is a red, hourglass-shaped marking. Red spots are also visible along the middle of the female black widow spider's back and over the spinnerets. Females tend to hang upside down from their webs. This serves to exhibit the hourglass marking in warning. 

Female rarely leave their webs, which are irregularly shaped and found at ground level. They guard their egg sacs until they hatch, at which point they exhibit very little parental involvement. Eggs are most commonly produced in autumn. Each egg sac can contain several hundred eggs. 

Southern American Black Widow Spiders

Northern Black Widow Spider

Male Black Widow Spider