Black Widow Spiders?

Question

I have a few questions.
1.Is the male posionous?
2. Does the male also have the red hour glass under the belly?
3. Are they smaller or bigger then the female.

I live in San Diego, CA and notice that this year, theres been more then usual. I hate to kill spiders that are black.

Answer 1

Araneae: Theridiidae, Latrodectus mactans


SIZE: About 1 1/2 inches (38mm) long, 1/4 inch (6.4mm) in diameter

COLOR: Usually shiny black

DESCRIPTION: The female is usually black with a red spot or hourglass- shaped mark on its round abdomen. The male usually has light streaks on its abdomen.

HABITAT: Black widow spiders are common around wood piles, and are frequently encountered when homeowners carry firewood into the house. Also found under eaves, in boxes, outdoor toilets, meter boxes, and other unbothered places.

LIFE CYCLE: Egg sacs are brown, papery, about ½ inch long and oval. They hold from 25 to 900 or more eggs, which have an incubation period of 20 days. Growth requires two to three months, with older females dying in autumn after egg laying.

TYPE OF DAMAGE: The black widow is not aggressive. It will, however, bite instinctively when touched or pressed.

CONTROL: Be very careful when working around areas where black widow spiders may be established. Take proper precautions-wear gloves and pay attention to where you are working. Black widow bites are sharp and painful, and the victim should go to the doctor immediately for treatment. To control the black widow, carefully remove all materials where they might hide. They can be cleaned out of an area simply by knocking down the webs, spiders, and round tan egg sacs with a stick and crushing them underfoot.

INTERESTING FACTS: The female eats the male after mating. She hangs belly upward and rarely leaves the web.

Answer 2

Yes they are poisonous. Yes they are MUCH smaller than the female. As for the hourglass marking on the underbelly, I do not know. However, you are not in an area of the country that commonly has black widows. Black widows are only commonly found in NE Texas and Arkansas.

Answer 3

No the male is not posinous and no the make does not have the hour glass on it belly. They are smaller then the females.

Answer 4

Not poisonous...no hr glass and much smaller. The widow gets the title by EATING her mate after the have sex!

Answer 5

Try wikipedia; it will answer all your questions.

The males are whimpy compared to the females.

Answer 6

Spider man WOULD GET YA!!! Oh it's true.