Widow identification

[Vayu Son]

Latrodectus geometricus

Adopted a widow today that was set for execution at a local school. Im having trouble identifying it. It has a small hourglass shaped in the center bottom of the abdomen, like other widows ive seen, but its legs have a yellow to black pattern, and the egg sacs found with it are circular with protruding bumps, like a small golfball with blunt spikes sticking out. sound familiar to anyone?

-V

 

[Kugellager]

I'm pretty sure it is a L.geometricus or Brown Widow.

http://www.floridanature.org/species.asp?species=Latrodectus_geometricus

I just spent a 1/2 hour typing a long PM with details etc and then your mailbox was full so it disappeared arrrgggh!

If you want detailed keeping instructions PM me your phone # and I'll give you a call with all the details and specifics.

Here are some useful links:

http://www.arachnology.org/
Click arachnology pages then araneae then blk widow spiders.

Arachnopet threads on widows.

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

http://www.arachnopets.com/arachnoboards/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6633

John
];')

 

[Vayu Son]

><

Thanks kugg. She is identical to the L.geometricus pics there, but her opisthosoma lacks any of the vibrant marks or spots seen in those pics.


Edit: NM, saw that the mature adults lack many marks. Score . Thanks kugg.

-V

Pm on the way.

 

[Vayu Son]

><

Here she is guys.

-V

 

[Vayu Son]

><

check out her reflection on that last pic

Heres us playing with hemostats.

-V

 

[Vayu Son]

><

Real blurred, but leg 1's length in comparison to the others is pretty amazing.

-V

 

[Vayu Son]

><

blurry again, but check out those egg sacs.

-V

 

[Kugellager]

Nice pics Vayu,

The egg sac on the far left may have hatched out as there appears to be that little hole that is centered in the pic you posted. That may be a sign that all have hatched out in this batch. In which case the color you see may be the about to hatch color.

We'll see what happens whe she fattens up...you may get some fresh egg sacs. One med or two small crickets per week for 3-4 weeks should do it if she still has it in her to make more egg sacs.

Good Luck

John
];')