Latrodectus geometricus - the weird cousin of the latrodectus genus

[NYAN]

I’m sure we are are familliar with these funny, invasive little devils; I sure am. Anyway, this post is to share, as well as admire the... dedication.. uniqueness.. ingenuity of this individual?

Here I am hanging outside of my house observing my surroundings. At the corner of my eye I spot something shiny. It’s the telltale silk thread of a Latrodectus species. I go up to it and realize that the spider decided to make its hideaway 9 feet off the ground in the eve of my house. The funny part is that decided to string a single thread all the way down from there as its tripwire for food. I tap on it, and sure enough, here it comes bounding out from the vibrations. I’ll get some pics if anyone is interested.

 

[lostbrane]

Oh come on. How could you tease photos and then not deliver?

 

[The Snark]

An oddity. Up on the north coast of Calif and into Oregon we have Geo's that are a uniform chocolate brown color without any trim stripes or customized paint jobs. Does anyone know of other locations where they are similarly undecorated?

 

[Greasylake]

I found a cladogram for the Latrodectus genus and geometricus was waaaayyyy off to the side. It had split way before any of the other species. It really is kind of like the weird cousin.

 

[pannaking22]

I just caught two of them outside my work. They've got a little indent in the building about stomach height that they web up. Now they're in 16oz deli cups and probably going to die because for whatever reason I can't seem to keep geo alive. I've tried several times and they always kick it. I had more success with freaking pallidus when those were in the US, but I can't keep the super invasive, lives everywhere species alive

An oddity. Up on the north coast of Calif and into Oregon we have Geo's that are a uniform chocolate brown color without any trim stripes or customized paint jobs. Does anyone know of other locations where they are similarly undecorated?

I've seen photos from that area (and from a couple spots in Florida I believe) where they're almost black with no markings. Weirdest thing. Check BugGuide and iNaturalist and it should have the photos you're looking for.

 

[BenLeeKing]

The weird cousin who always manages to barge in even though not invited.
Also, what's the sign of a silk line being from a Latrodectus sp,?

 

[Patherophis]

Actually it is not so lonely, with L. rhodesiensis, L. obscurior and probably some more.

 

[NYAN]

Also, what's the sign of a silk line being from a Latrodectus sp,?

I’ve learned to recognize Latrodecrus webs fairly well. It’s a bit hard to explain. The webs, to me, have a certain ‘look’ to them. The spots where they are placed also help determine it. After testing the strength, I can be certain that the web in question belongs to one.

 

[Teal]

Now they're in 16oz deli cups and probably going to die because for whatever reason I can't seem to keep geo alive. I've tried several times and they always kick it. I had more success with freaking pallidus when those were in the US, but I can't keep the super invasive, lives everywhere species alive

I cannot keep the darn things alive, either! Why is thaaaat?!

They aren't where I live, yet... maybe someday I can catch them myself. They are my favourite Latro.

 

[NYAN]

I cannot keep the darn things alive, either! Why is thaaaat?!

They aren't where I live, yet... maybe someday I can catch them myself. They are my favourite Latro.

That doesn’t make much sense. They are very hardy species. If you want some, I have them available.

 

[pannaking22]

I cannot keep the darn things alive, either! Why is thaaaat?!

They aren't where I live, yet... maybe someday I can catch them myself. They are my favourite Latro.

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one lol.

That doesn’t make much sense. They are very hardy species. If you want some, I have them available.

They're supposed to be hardy, but I think I just have the anti-geo touch lol. Fortunately they're everywhere down here so I can experiment with setups and figure out a way to keep them (shouldn't be that hard, right?).

 

[checkmate]

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one lol.
They're supposed to be hardy, but I think I just have the anti-geo touch lol. Fortunately they're everywhere down here so I can experiment with setups and figure out a way to keep them (shouldn't be that hard, right?).

I cannot keep the darn things alive, either! Why is thaaaat?!
They aren't where I live, yet... maybe someday I can catch them myself. They are my favourite Latro.

What do you think is the reason you guys are having such bad luck with them?

 

[Teal]

What do you think is the reason you guys are having such bad luck with them?

I wish I knew! I keep then like I keep my other Latros, whom I don't have issues keeping alive... maybe that is the problem? Maybe they need something different?

 

[NYAN]

I wish I knew! I keep then like I keep my other Latros, whom I don't have issues keeping alive... maybe that is the problem? Maybe they need something different?

Get a cheap plastic chair at Home Depot and place it in your desired spider keeping location. Your new geometrucus will live forever.

 

[Teal]

That doesn’t make much sense. They are very hardy species. If you want some, I have them available.

I agree, it doesn't make any sense! Can you send me a PM with prices? Thanks!

 

[checkmate]

Laboratory refugia preferences of the brown widow spider, Latrodectus geometricus (Araneae: Theridiidae)
http://www.americanarachnology.org/JoA_free/JoA_v44_n1/arac-44-1-52.pdf

 

[pannaking22]

What do you think is the reason you guys are having such bad luck with them?

I suspect it's been a ventilation issue, but I've added extra hiding spots this time by crumpling up a paper towel and putting that in the enclosure. We'll see if that helps since it'll add extra hiding spots for them.

Thanks for that link as well! I remember reading that a while back, but had forgotten what it said.

 

[The Snark]

Also be aware you may have inadvertently introduced a toxin. Die offs in such a hardy adaptable species should always take that possibility into account.

Get a cheap plastic chair at Home Depot and place it in your desired spider keeping location. Your new geometrucus will live forever.

Actually, this is a very good point. There can be a lot of subtle differences between what the spider thinks is a suitable environment and what a person has put together.

 

[pannaking22]

Also be aware you may have inadvertently introduced a toxin. Die offs in such a hardy adaptable species should always take that possibility into account.

That's always been my first thought, but I clean all my enclosures thoroughly before use and I'd be moving other widows into the same batch of cleaned enclosures and they'd do fine.