Latrodectus question

[toolrick]

Does anybody in here knows if all latrodectus got to have the red sand clock looking underneath it's abdomen?
I have gotten something that looks similar to a latrodectus, maybe it is from the family Theridiidae, but it does not have that mark.
I have seen some pictures of latrodectus in here, I have seen that there are many kinds, so can someone help me out?
Also, how big can they get after reashing to adult?

 

[jsloan]

Not all Latrodectus individuals show the hourglass. Also, there are other theridiids that resemble Latrodectus. Steatoda is one. If you have a microscope look at the eye arrangement on your spider. In Steatoda the anterior and posterior lateral eyes will be touching. In Latrodectus they are separated by about the diameter of an eye.

 

[jsloan]

There is a lot of information on Latrodectus at this site:

http://www.arachnology.be/pages/Latrodectus.html

 

[toolrick]

Thanks a lot for the information. It is really difficult to look at the eyes of the spider I found because of the shape of the head, it is too small to see. I will take some pictures and post them here so you can see them. The color is brown with redish legs. The abdomen has some coloration as well.

Ricardo

 

[toolrick]

Looking on the internet for pictures of the specie you told me (Steatoda), I have found that looks pretty much like the one I am keeping. Do you know if they are also venomous like latrodectus?

 

[jsloan]

Looking on the internet for pictures of the specie you told me (Steatoda), I have found that looks pretty much like the one I am keeping. Do you know if they are also venomous like latrodectus?

The only Steatoda I've heard any venom concerns about is Steatoda paykulliana, which is found around the Mediterranean region and parts of Northern Europe and, recently, in Southern England. This may be the same spider I used to catch in Iran, and if so I wouldn't worry about it. My friends and I used to catch it by scooping it out of its web with our hands. We were never bitten. You didn't say where you are, but this species of Steatoda does not occur in North America.

 

[toolrick]

I am from Colombia South America.
The specimen was found in the atick, but we also have gotten them on the corners of the walls and windows.

 

[jsloan]

I am from Colombia South America.
The specimen was found in the atick, but we also have gotten them on the corners of the walls and windows.

It might help if you could post a clear, up-close photograph.

 

[Widowman10]

yes, post a picture, that would help the most. latrodectus are pretty easy to ID, especially to differentiate from steatoda. and no, steatoda are really nothing to worry about. and no, not all widows have the hourglass. latrodectus (most) get to be give or take about 1-1.5" in DLS.

 

[What]

latrodectus are pretty easy to ID, especially to differentiate from steatoda.

Uh...did I miss a memo or something? The only way to 100% identify a Latrodectus specimen is via genitalia, and that can only be done by dissection.

But I will agree they are quite easy to differentiate from Steatoda sp..

 

[jsloan]

Uh...did I miss a memo or something? The only way to 100% identify a Latrodectus specimen is via genitalia, and that can only be done by dissection.

But I will agree they are quite easy to differentiate from Steatoda sp..

We were talking about differentiating between genera, between Latrodectus and Steatoda. You can do this just by examining the eyes.

I agree that once you've identified the genus you must then look at the genitalia to determine species.

 

[Widowman10]

Uh...did I miss a memo or something? The only way to 100% identify a Latrodectus specimen is via genitalia, and that can only be done by dissection.

But I will agree they are quite easy to differentiate from Steatoda sp..

We were talking about differentiating between genera, between Latrodectus and Steatoda. You can do this just by examining the eyes.

I agree that once you've identified the genus you must then look at the genitalia to determine species.

yep :clap:

still waitin for a pic :drool:

 

[jsloan]

Yeah, it seems like Toolrick is concerned he might have Latrodectus in his house. He thought the spiders he's seeing might be theridiids. That's why I said to check the eyes. If the PLE and ALE are touching, it's definitely not Latrodectus.

 

[toolrick]

Hello to all, sorry I have not posted a picture. I just got home from a trip and read all the messages. Unfortunately the batterys of my cammera are low. I will post a picture soon though.
Thanks for all the repplys. Is there any latrodectus in South America? it seems that most of them are found in the US from what I have heard.

 

[jsloan]

Is there any latrodectus in South America? it seems that most of them are found in the US from what I have heard.

Yes, Latrodectus can be found in S. America. Also, there are about 30 or so species worldwide.

 

[toolrick]

Ok, so here are the shitty pictures I could take with my cammera. Sorry I could not get a better picture.

 

[lhystrix]

Based on the info you posted and these images, I'm 100% sure you have nothing more than the red house spider, Nesticodes rufipes, despite what others may try to tell you. Common and harmless.

 

[toolrick]

Thanks Jeff, I think you are right. I have searched over the net and pictures seem to be exactly what I have.
She layed an eggsack yesterday. Do you know how I could keep her?