Red Widow

Sand pine scrub habitats in Florida, often building messy webs in palmetto and scrub oak bushes.

Primarily preys on insects caught in its web, such as beetles, crickets, and grasshoppers.

Solitary, nocturnal spiders that construct irregular, tangled webs. Females are known to be reclusive and will often stay in their web. Male red widows will wander in search of mates. Females lay eggs in silken sacs.

Potential risk: Like other widow spiders, the Red Widow has a potent neurotoxic venom, though bites are rare and typically less severe than that of the much more widely known Black Widow. Symptoms can include muscle pain, cramps, nausea, and sweating. Benefits: Plays a role in controlling insect populations within its ecosystem.