Latrodectus mactans

Latrodectus mactans, also referred to as the shoe-button spider and the southern black widow, is a venomous species of spider in the genus Latrodectus. The ladies are famous for their striking black and red appearance as well as the fact that occasionally they may consume their partners after mating. Native to North America, the species. The venom can induce discomfort and other symptoms, although healthy persons seldom die from it.

The mature female's body length is 8–13 mm, whereas the male's is 3-6 mm. Leg length in relation to body is long. Females have a red hourglass-shaped marking on the ventral side of their extremely rounded abdomens. They are lustrous and black in appearance. Particularly in females who are bearing eggs, there is a wide range in female size. A female who is pregnant may have an abdomen that is larger than 1.25 cm in diameter. Additionally, the top of the abdomen of many female widows has an orange or red patch immediately above the spinnerets. The abdomen of juveniles is grey to black with white lines running across it and is dotted with yellow and orange, giving them a very different appearance from adults.