Since Widows seem to be the thing for the moment...

[Henry Kane]

Thought I'd share some pics too. Can anyone guess the species? The answer is right in front of you.

Take care.

Atrax

 

[swatc1h]

Brown Widow? Dont't they differ from colors/patterns

nice pic.

 

[Spaceman_Spiff]

L. mactans?

 

[Spaceman_Spiff]

On second thought I think it's L. hesperus!
But a question: Is the shape of the hourglass really a reliable trait for identifying the species?

Greetings
Bernhard

 

[Henry Kane]

Is the shape of the hourglass what led you to guess hesperus?

Atrax

 

[swatc1h]

Leggs of a BrownW n belly of a BlackW, Hybrid by any chance.

 

[Spaceman_Spiff]

According to this list:

http://kaston.transy.edu/spiderlist/theridiidae.htm

hesperus is the one found in Colorado!

But you're right, I first checked for the hourglass and because I do not own the right literature my knowledge on this matter comes from some unscientifical websites.

Is there a good book on American Latrodectus species or an article that focuses on their geodistribution?

Thanks in advance
Bernhard

 

[Henry Kane]

Hi Bernhard,
LOL! Yep, that is the clue I was referring to...my geographical location listed next to my avatar. Yep, caught locally here in CO so L. hesperus is correct.

Dr. R.G. (Spider Bob) Breen has a pretty informative book on Latrodectus with illustrations of all the different hourglass patterns of the different species. I believe each species have pattern variations too though but it's outlined pretty thouroughly. You can probably find a copy of his book here through the ATS website. If not there, e-mail him directly. His contact info is at the bottom of the home page.
Hope that helps.

Take care.

Atrax

 

[Henry Kane]

Leggs of a BrownW n belly of a BlackW, Hybrid by any chance.

Nope, not a hybrid. The specimen in the pic is still immature. They have some pretty nice patterning as juvies but when they mature they lose most of, if not all of the red patterning except for the hourglass of course and the ceph, abdomen, legs and all take on a much more uniform black.

You might also notice how the hourglass has a sort of yellow-ish outline. When it matures it will probably lose the outline so the hourglass will just be a bold red against black.

See ya.

Atrax

 

[swatc1h]

Ya your zoomed in mega-pixel catched a pic which i couldnt tell apart if its a jenv or not. But still if've could of pointed out tho since i carry Western Widows :?

 

[Spaceman_Spiff]

Dr. R.G. (Spider Bob) Breen has a pretty informative book on Latrodectus with illustrations of all the different hourglass patterns of the different species. I believe each species have pattern variations too though but it's outlined pretty thouroughly. You can probably find a copy of his book here through the ATS website. If not there, e-mail him directly. His contact info is at the bottom of the home page.
Hope that helps.


Atrax

Hi Atrax!

Thanks a lot for the link, sounds like a good book with the information I was seeking for, I will try and purchase it!

Greetings
Bernhard