Summary ²

Latrodectus is a genus of spider, in the family Theridiidae, which contains 32 recognized species. The common name widow spiders is sometimes applied to members of the genus due to a behaviour seen in some species in which the female eats the male after mating. The black widow spider is perhaps the best-known member of the genus. Its bite is dangerous because of the neurotoxin latrotoxin, which causes the condition latrodectism, both named for the genus....

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Charles Haynes, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/87232391@N00/3229878850
2. (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latrodectus

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