Northern black widow identification (Latrodectus variolus)


Insect identifier · Spiders and scorpions

How to identify a Northern black widow

Latrodectus variolus
· Also called northern widow, black widow, black widow ontario, black widow northeast

Northern black widow identification photo

Northern widows are more woodland and stone-wall than house spiders. The hourglass is often split into two spots.

A shiny black spider in a stone wall or woodpile in the East or southeastern Canada may be a northern widow. The red mark is often two spots, not one neat hourglass. It is less a kitchen spider than southern and western widows. Treat muscle cramping after a pinprick as urgent anyway. Do not use a garden-spider photo to talk yourself out of care.

What does a northern black widow look like?

Shiny black female; hourglass often divided. Woodland and rock-wall webs in the East and southeastern Canada.

Northern black widow (Latrodectus variolus) is Similar to other widows. Colors people notice: black, red. Field marks: Hourglass often split into two spots; Shiny black female; Woodland and stone-wall webs. It is found outdoor. If those marks are missing, open Southern black widow, Yellow sac spider before you force this name. Search phrases that belong on this page include what a northern black widow looks like and northern black widow identification.

Identification marks

  • Hourglass often split into two spots
  • Shiny black female
  • Woodland and stone-wall webs

Size: Similar to other widows
Colors: black, red
Where: outdoor

What a typical northern black widow bite looks like

Typical northern black widow bite or sting
A typical pattern. Reactions vary. This is a guide photo, not a diagnosis.

Widow-type: small mark, possible cramping. Same medical caution as other Latrodectus.

People searching “northern black widow bite identification” want the pattern, not a single anonymous bump. Widow-type: small mark, possible cramping and pain. Immediate steps on this page: Medical care if systemic symptoms; Clean, ice, photo spider. This species does bite or sting people. Fever, spreading redness, trouble breathing, or a child with many stings is professional care.

If you were bitten

  1. Medical care if systemic symptoms
  2. Clean, ice, photo spider

Northern black widow vs Southern black widow

Hourglass often split into two red spots. More woodland and stone wall than kitchen spider. Still a Latrodectus medically.

Range and season

Late spring–early fall.

East and southeastern Canada, rock walls, stumps, and woodland debris in warm months.

Eastern U.S. and southeastern Canada, more in woods and rock walls than in houses compared with southern widows.

Late spring–early fall

Common questions

Northern vs southern black widow?

Northern widows often show a divided hourglass and are more woodland. Venom effects are similar.

Are they in Canada?

Yes, in parts of southern Ontario, Quebec, and nearby areas.

Should I kill every black spider?

No. Confirm ID. Most dark spiders are harmless cobweb weavers.

Are there black widows in the Northeast and Ontario?

Northern widows occur in parts of the East and southeastern Canada, more in woods than in houses.

Why is the hourglass split?

On Latrodectus variolus the red mark is often two spots instead of one classic hourglass.

Related identification pages