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Northern Black Widow Spider

As designated by its name, the northern black widow spider is found primarily in the Northeast United States. They may live as far south as Florida, as far north as New York and as far west as Texas. Species of widow spiders are also occasionally transported in shipments of household goods to states outside of their natural range.

Northern black widows are primarily found in marginal land habitats with sparse vegetation, stumps, hollow logs and piles of debris. Northern black widow spiders are small arachnids and are rarely found indoors. However, they may enter human dwellings on piles of firewood brought inside.

Most adult female northern black widow spiders are shiny black in color, with rows of red spots atop the abdomen. Crosswise bars that resemble a red hourglass appear on the underside of the abdomen. However, some northern black widow spider specimens exhibit brown body coloration, red legs and white or yellow hourglass markings.  

  

Southern American Black Widow Spiders

Male Black Widow Spider

Female Black Widow Spider