Widow ID please..

[Arachnotized]

Found this in my yard a bit ago going to get a plastic container and found this wrapped up in a silk ball in the corner of it..(to keep from freezing?)..anyway, thought this spider was absolutely stunning..can't believe how red it is contrasting with the black! It does have the widow hourglass on the underside and beautiful red spotting along the back..is this a different type of widow or just a morph? Never saw anything quite like it..and since it's going down to freezing tonight looks like this little lady will be staying inside Sorry for the bad pic quality ..will try to get a couple better pics later..

 

[David_F]

Juvenile L. mactans or variolus.

 

[Widowman10]

very pretty! if you keep it, let us know how long it keeps those pretty colors!:}

 

[Canth]

What part of Arkansas? I'll be on vacation there soon and hope to find some

 

[Arachnotized]

Thanks all..yes very pretty indeed..glad to know its a juvenile and will be around for quite a while hehe..I am in Bella Vista Arkansas...and this is the first widow I have seen (actually my very first ever!) since I moved here a few months ago. Find it rather strange I would find it outside in a plastic beanie baby cube in the middle of the lawn rather then in my shed hehe...now I am going to be a little more cautious now while poking about but it is simply a magnificent creature indeed.

 

[Arachnotized]

very pretty! if you keep it, let us know how long it keeps those pretty colors!:}

Well wasn't planning on keeping it hehe..but it's starting to get very cold now and tonight is going to hit the freezing mark...couldn't let something so beautiful die in the cold spell..so got my betta container out of the cupboard and Ms. Widow will have a nice warm place up on the shelf for a while. Now just have to find her something to eat

 

[KUJordan]

don't worry about them freezing. that looks pretty characteristic of L. variolus to me. they are pretty resistant to cold temps. they overwinter, so as long as they have time to find a decent shelter, i actually think they can withstand subfreezing temps to thaw out next spring. keep her though, they are awesome spiders.

although, i must warn you that some widows caught at this time of year after there has already potentially been some very low temps at night may already be in the "overwintering" state. reheating her and trying to get her to eat can possibly be detrimental to her and she may not live very long, but either way good luck with her.

 

[Arachnotized]

Well...good news!! She made a web and she voraciously ate three of the flies I put in there for her! She keeps herself busy fixing her little space and seems quite content. I think now, I have a pet widow for life hehe..she's awesome and the greatest thing about her is that she doesnt bark or meow ...I think I got her just in time..it really didnt go down to the freezing mark until yesterday or so..but up before then was kind of chilly..she seems fine so far and acting normal and at least shes eating!:clap: ...oh and rescued a walking stick too LOL... ..man I love the wilderness hehehe...

 

[Canth]

Congrats! Widows are probably my favorite inverts. I got a few a year ago and have been hooked since.

I should be getting some of my own L. variolus very soon