Insect identifier · Spiders and scorpions
How to identify a Brown widow
Latrodectus geometricus
· Also called geometricus, brown button spider
People searching “what does a brown widow look like” or “brown widow bite” want a field ID, not a scare. Brown widow (Latrodectus geometricus) is a spiders scorpions in this guide. Also called geometricus, brown button spider.
A brown spider with an orange hourglass under a patio chair is a brown widow.
What does a brown widow look like?
Brown widow is Smaller than a black widow, bulbous abdomen. Colors people notice: brown, orange, white. Field marks: Orange or yellow hourglass; Mottled brown abdomen; Spiky egg sacs.
Brown widow is Smaller than a black widow, bulbous abdomen. Colors people notice: brown, orange, white. Field marks: Orange or yellow hourglass; Mottled brown abdomen; Spiky egg sacs. If the marks fail, open the look-alike pages before forcing this name.
Identification marks
- Orange or yellow hourglass
- Mottled brown abdomen
- Spiky egg sacs
Size: Smaller than a black widow, bulbous abdomen
Colors: brown, orange, white
Where: both
What a typical brown widow bite looks like
Pinprick, then possible muscle pain. Often milder than a black widow. Ice Urgent care for cramping, especially in children
Pinprick, then possible muscle pain. Often milder than a black widow. Fever, spreading redness, or trouble breathing needs a clinician.
If you were bitten
- Ice
- Urgent care for cramping, especially in children
- Do not smash it into the skin
Brown widow vs Southern black widow
Orange hourglass and spiky eggs = brown widow. Red hourglass on shiny black = black widow. No hourglass = false widow.
- Southern black widow identification (Latrodectus mactans)
- False widow identification (Steatoda grossa)
- Western black widow identification (Latrodectus hesperus)
Range and season
Brown widow is active warm months. Typical places: yard, eaves, outdoor furniture. A widow with an orange hourglass and banded legs. Often in outdoor furniture in the South and California. Bite is usually milder than a black widow, still a widow.
Patio furniture, mailboxes, and eaves in the South, California, and Hawaii.
A widow with an orange hourglass and banded legs. Often in outdoor furniture in the South and California. Bite is usually milder than a black widow, still a widow.
Warm months
Common questions
Brown widow vs black widow?
Brown widow is mottled brown with an orange hourglass and spiky egg sacs. Black widow is shiny black with a red hourglass.
Are brown widows in Florida and California?
Yes. Outdoor furniture is a common place.