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Black Widow Spider

Photo 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 1.5 in. (3.8 cm) across but may be smaller.

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Last Revised October 15, 2011

Last Revised: October 15, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine

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