Missouri Animals Black widow   (Latrodectus variolus) Arthropoda: Arachnida: Spiders Native North American arthropod Habitat: woodlands, forest Diet: flying and crawling insects ID Features: shiny black body, red mark on abdomen Natural History: The black widow is a "hairless" spider that produces in irregular web under flat rocks and other above-ground structures. The black widow is a famous spider that can produce a painful and dangerous bite.

The graphics, text, and sound are from: Missouri Conservationist, September, 1984, page 24 Copyright © Missouri Conservation Commission. All rights reserved.