3 Ways to Identify a Brown Widow Spider
Introduction:
Brown widow spiders (Latrodectus geometricus) are often mistaken for their infamous cousin, the black widow spider. Although brown widow spiders are less venomous than black widows, their bites can still pose risks to humans. Therefore, being able to identify them is essential for ensuring your safety. In this article, we will discuss three ways to identify a brown widow spider.
1. Examine the spider’s coloration and markings:
The easiest way to distinguish a brown widow from other spiders is to look at its color and markings. Brown widow spiders are typically varying shades of brown with beige or yellow markings on their upper abdomen. These markings often resemble an hourglass shape, similar to the iconic red hourglass marking of the black widow spider. However, the color of the hourglass marking on a brown widow can range from pale yellow or orange to white.
2. Observe the legs and body size:
The body of a brown widow spider is relatively small, measuring around 0.15 – 0.7 inches (4 – 18 mm) in length depending on age and gender of the specimen. Female brown widows tend to be larger than males, with long and slender legs that extend from their oval-shaped body. The legs of this species often feature dark bands at each joint and gradually fade into a lighter color towards their tips. These distinct banded legs can be helpful in recognizing a brown widow when compared to other spiders.
3. Look for egg sacs:
If you’ve spotted a suspicious-looking spider in your home or garden, another key indicator of its identity is its egg sacs. Brown widow spiders create unique spiky egg sacs made up of fluffy silk material. These sacs are tan or off-white in color and contain hundreds of eggs inside each one. The presence of these spiky egg sacs can be a telltale sign that you’re dealing with a brown widow spider.
Conclusion:
Being able to identify a brown widow spider can help to avoid potential harm and give you peace of mind. If you suspect that you’ve encountered a brown widow, it’s essential to take precautions and contact a professional pest control service should their presence become a concern. To minimize interactions with spiders in general, maintain a clean and clutter-free environment, seal any visible cracks and crevices, and regularly check entrance points.