Black Widow Spider

Description:

The females are larger than the males in both species. The females are black with a red hour-glass shape under the abdomen, however the middle part of the hour-glass is sometimes missing in the Northern species. The males are smaller and lighter in color with a variety of red or orange marks on the abdomen.

Habitat:

In Ohio, the black widow can usually be found in abandoned buildings, wooden outhouses, barns, forests, and brushy areas.

Notes:

After fertilization, the female lays her eggs on a small web and wraps them in silk, creating an "egg case." She will then stay with the eggs and defend them until hatching occurs, at which point the young spiders are on their own.