Black Widow Spider

Undisturbed areas such as woodpiles, garages, basements, stone walls, and sheds. They prefer dark, low-lying, sheltered spots.

Carnivorous; primarily eats insects like flies, mosquitoes, grasshoppers, and beetles, as well as other arachnids caught in their web.

Solitary and nocturnal. They spin messy, irregular 'tangle' webs. While females are famous for sometimes eating males after mating, they are generally shy and only bite when threatened or pressed against skin.

Risks: Possesses a potent neurotoxic venom that can cause severe pain and systemic symptoms in humans (latrodectism); medical attention is recommended if bitten. Benefits: Provides natural pest control by preying on nuisance insects and agricultural pests.