Are there several types of black widow spiders?

Question

I have seen black widow spiders in my garage, but I found a very odd spider that was the shape of a black widow it had a red hourglass, but it was striped. It was not very big only about the size of my pinkie nail what is it do you think? Are there different variations of the Black widow spider or is it a possible mutation?

Answer 1

There are many types of widow spiders. See this link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Widow_spider

Answer 2

Young widows and males have different markings than adult females; a mahogany brown, with curved bands of various size, as I recall. Brown Widows retain that sort of pattern into adulthood, while Black Widows go for the more stylish basic black. What you had could have been a male (I believe they also have the hourglass) or could have been just a young female (I don't remember at what instar they become all-black).

Answer 3

possibly a mutation