False Widow Spiders (Steatoda)

More Spider Resources Black Widow Spider Types of Spiders

Many of the species in the genus Steatoda of the Theridiidae family go by the name of false widow.

Often the name refers to the spider's looks. From a distance, the body often appears dark, like the black widows or Latrodectus species.

Of course, just the name of the widow spiders means that most people do not get close enough to any small dark spiders to differentiate among the different genera.

The top picture shows a close up of a Steatoda Grossa male. The long front pair of legs have been cropped from the photo, however, with the legs extended, it measures approximately and inch and one-quarter in length.

Their bites are known to cause pain and discomfort for a small portion of the population, however for most people, their bite produces no side effects.

The bottom picture shows a Steatoda nobilis, a native of the Canary Islands that has since been introduced to the southwest coastal region of Europe, including the southern areas of the UK. Because the British have little experience with biting spiders, its northern migration is causing a bit of a row in the local papers.

Thanks to AP in Essex for the picture and story. The picture is enlarged to show the spider's abdominal pattern, and it highlights the long front legs.

© 2009. Patricia A. Michaels