Question

What two species of black widow are common in the United States?

Answer 1

The black widow is a medium-sized spider -- about a half-inch long. Two species are common to the U.S.:

• The southern black widow. This spider has a shiny, black, globe-shaped abdomen. You’ll know it by the red hourglass mark on the underside.
• The northern black widow. You’ll notice a row of red spots down the middle of the upper surface of its abdomen. It also has two crosswise bars on the underside. The markings can also be yellow or white. The spider may be brown or have red legs.