Black Widows

[nemesis6sic6]

Yesterday I went to this place called perris lake

here in California. I went out and explored some

and found interesting stuff. I found different species

of Latrodectans in one single Area.

I ask my self if this is common. I could not identify

a certain species though, this species had

weird markings on the abdomen, like fiery orange

and white on the front of its Abdomen. I found then

L. mactans and L. hesperus also really close to each other.

one of these were close to a bench where people eat so I

decided to capture it, I didn't let it go instead I did

something humane and put it on a funnel web of a

wolf spider(cruel isn't it?) the wolf spider then attacked it rapidly

the fact is that I don't take kindly to these species.

Any who does any one know about

the species that I descrive, has any one seen it?

Just curious of what it was.

have a nice day

geo

 

[Code Monkey]

From your description, it may have been a juvenile specimen of either species. Juve widows have some very interesting geometric patterns of white, black, orange, and sometimes yellow instead of the all black with red somethings.

 

[Kugellager]

Definitely sounds like you found some juvies. Take a look at my juvie pics in this thread.

http://www.arachnopets.com/arachnoboards/showthread.php?threadid=4898

SHould only hav L.hesperus though...only small spot where L.mactans occur.

John
];')

 

[nemesis6sic6]

Originally posted by Kugellager
Definitely sounds like you found some juvies. Take a look at my juvie pics in this thread.

http://www.arachnopets.com/arachnoboards/showthread.php?threadid=4898

SHould only hav L.hesperus though...only small spot where L.mactans occur.

John
];')

Yeah I also raised a female L.hesperus from a juvi.

Though this species was different. Not that pattern as a

hesperus. The abdomen wasn't that colorful yet it had a fiery

image like hmm flames facing the carapace, other than that

nothing else. I used the Hour glass to identify species. I never seen mactans( I have only seen pics) around my area so I was exited to see it there and I also wondered. Maybe the species I saw was a juvie mactans or a sub-species of mactans X hesperus

who knows, I might just go this weekend and collect some

and bring some so I can take pics. That way you guys can help me

solve this mystery.

have a nice day

geo

 

[Kugellager]

I have raised 7-8 to adulthood...some from the eggsac...the coloration pattern varies from individual to individual and changes through each molt. The only real visible differences between L.hesperus and L.mactans as adult is the average size(L.hesperus is larger) and the completeness/separation of the the halves of the hourglass. L.mactans commonly has the 2 halves separated while L.hesperus commonly has a complete hourglass. Though I have L.hesperus that exhibit both hourglass forms. The overall shape of the hourglass varies significantly in both species. The only sure way to tell the difference would be either with a microscope or by location. There is reported to be a population of L.mactans in CA but most of the widows in the west are of the species L.hesperus..western black widow.

Either way widows are an interesting spider to keep.

Have fun and be careful.
];')