Spider identification.

[genious_gr]

So, I caught this little spider..It's small, about 1cm long, looks REALLY like a black widow, but doesn't have that red hourglass under its abdoment. Instead, it has a Yellow/Orange/Gold (cant figure out exactly) stripe on the top of the abdoment and to the side of the rest of the body.

I guess I'll have to post a picture, but can anyone identify it from that ^^^^^^??? I caught it in here in Greece BTW.

 

[genious_gr]

Ok. Here's the pic

 

[Venom]

I'm not sure of the exact species, but it's in the genus Steatoda, which is closely related to Lactrodectus. They aren't considered medically signifigant, but their bite can produce a few Lactrodectus-like symptoms ( mild tho ).

 

[pronty]

In my insect guide there is a drawing of "Steatoda paykulliana" that looks like your spider except the stripe is more orange/red.

 

[genious_gr]

Actualy it's a bit darker but the flash made it look that way....

Thanks on the info
!!!!

 

[Kugellager]

Here is an account of envenomation of a child by an Australian Steatoda where Redback antivenom was use to treat the reaction. It seems that in small children there can be severe reactions to this species that are similar to Latrodectus sp.

http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/xmas98/south/south.html

Another good link w/pics.
http://www.oeko-msc.de/theri-en.htm

John
];')

 

[genious_gr]

DON'T TOUCH!!!!


How did you know it is of the species Steatoda?

 

[Kugellager]

Others above suggested it?...or It says so in the envonomation report that they ar etreating Steatoda??


john
];')

 

[genious_gr]

Venom , above, said it's of the genus Steatoda, I was just curious how he knew it was not a Latrodectus for example....

 

[vulpina]

Yep, looks like a Steatoda, we have alot of these around in Ohio, but they have a white stripe instead, ours is Steatoda borealis.


Andy