Brown Wideo Spider - (Latrodectus geometricus) Button Spiker - La Mirada, CA 10-17-2008

leih2008

Brown Wideo Spider - (Latrodectus geometricus) Button Spiker - La Mirada, CA 10-17-2008

Brown Widow Spider (Latrodectus geometricus)
Other common names: Brown button spider, Gray widow, Geometric button spider.
Distribution: Worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions. In the U.S.: from Florida to Texas and in California.
Ecology and medical importance: The webs can be located under and between log piles, stones, outdoor furniture, decks and potted plants. Brown widows may also inhabit different structures. L. geometricus has a bite which is venomous to humans, but it is quite shy spider and only bites when seriously provoked.
Field ID: Female has brown cephalothorax and tan to light brown legs with dark brown bands. The abdomen
is highly variable in color. Dorsal part of the abdomen may display white, black and orange markings of various shapes. Hourglass pattern on the underside of the abdomen ranges from yellowish-orange to reddish-orange color. Male is smaller and has narrower abdomen.
Egg sacs of this species are very distinctive and easy to identify. They are tan, spherical and are covered with numerous pointed projections (spikes).

Gotta figure out what to do before these hatch! I have been enviro. gardening to the extreme and just realized this is what these lovely creatures are! YIKES!

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Brown Wideo Spider - (Latrodectus geometricus) Button Spiker - La Mirada, CA 10-17-2008 by leih2008
Brown Wideo Spider - (Latrodectus geometricus) Button Spiker - La Mirada, CA 10-17-2008 by leih2008
  • micklyn

    micklyn

    Ooh, I have these. What did you do? We call them brown button spiders and ours look a little different – I’m in South Africa. Nice capture!

  • leih2008 replied

    Hi Micklyn,
    I used cayanne (red pepper) in a spray bottle anywhere I saw them and this year I have much less of them. Yes, the common name is brown button spider and if you are allergic to the venom you have to have the proper antibiotics. Pennicillin and names in the illin family do not work on venom. Have a great day and thanks for your comment. Lei H

  • micklyn

    micklyn

    Thanks for the info, Lei H ( :

  • leih2008 replied

    Hi Micklyn,
    You’re most welcome. I am sure you see many more scary little creatures where you live than I? At one time a gentlman studying spiders in Africa helped determine what was wrong with my husband. Cool eh? He lived, only because this man took the time to look at the photos I had posted back then 15 years ago! Amazing! Lei H

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