Southern black widow identification (Latrodectus mactans)


Insect identifier · Spiders and scorpions

How to identify a Southern black widow

Latrodectus mactans
· Also called black widow, hourglass spider, what does a black widow look like, black widow bite symptoms

Southern black widow identification photo

Black widow searches are about the hourglass and whether muscle cramping after a pinprick is an emergency. Adult females are the medical concern.

Shiny black female, round abdomen, red hourglass underneath, woodpile or meter box in the South. Pinprick, then possible cramping. Urgent if systemic, especially children. False widows are brown without a red hourglass. Garden spiders are yellow-black in an orb web.

What does a southern black widow look like?

Shiny black female with a spherical abdomen and a red hourglass on the underside. Irregular cobweb in undisturbed corners, woodpiles, meters, outhouses.

Southern black widow (Latrodectus mactans) is Female body about 8–13 mm, shiny. Colors people notice: black, red. Field marks: Shiny black female with red hourglass on the underside; Spherical abdomen; Irregular cobweb in undisturbed corners; Males small and rarely implicated. It is found both. If those marks are missing, open Northern black widow, Western black widow, False widow before you force this name. Search phrases that belong on this page include what a southern black widow looks like and southern black widow identification.

Identification marks

  • Shiny black female with red hourglass on the underside
  • Spherical abdomen
  • Irregular cobweb in undisturbed corners
  • Males small and rarely implicated

Size: Female body about 8–13 mm, shiny
Colors: black, red
Where: both

What a typical southern black widow bite looks like

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

Pinprick, then muscle pain, cramping, sweating, and anxiety can follow. The mark itself may be faint. Urgent care for cramping, chest pain, or severe symptoms — especially children.

People searching “southern black widow bite identification” want the pattern, not a single anonymous bump. Pinprick, then muscle pain, cramping, sweating, and anxiety can follow (latrodectism). The bite mark itself may be faint. Immediate steps on this page: Seek urgent care if cramping, chest pain, or severe symptoms — especially children; Clean the site; ice; Do not wait at home if systemic symptoms start; Capture photo of spider if safe. 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. Seek urgent care if cramping, chest pain, or severe symptoms — especially children
  2. Clean the site; ice
  3. Do not wait at home if systemic symptoms start
  4. Capture photo of spider if safe

Southern black widow vs Northern black widow

True widow: shiny black female, round abdomen, red hourglass underneath. False widow: brown/purple, no bright hourglass. Garden spiders are yellow-black in an orb web and almost never medically important.

Range and season

Southeastern and south-central U.S. Warm months; year-round in the Deep South.

Woodpiles, meters, outhouses, and brick voids in the Southeast and south-central U.S.

Southeastern and south-central U.S. Related widow species cover most of the continent.

Warm months; year-round in the Deep South

Common questions

What does a black widow bite feel like?

Often mild at first, then deep muscle pain and cramping that can spread. This is a medical issue, not just an itch.

Do they always have an hourglass?

Adult females of this species usually show a clear red hourglass on the belly. Related species may have two spots or variations.

Are they aggressive?

No. Bites happen when the spider is pressed against skin in a glove, shoe, or tucked-away web.

What does a black widow look like?

A shiny black female with a round abdomen and a red hourglass on the underside.

Are male black widows dangerous?

Males are smaller and lighter and are not the usual medical problem.

Related identification pages