Latrodectus bishopi

Kaston, 1938

Red Widow

Latrodectus bishopi, the red widow spider, is a venomous cobweb spider to the sand-pine scrub of central and southern Florida. First described as a variety of L. mactans in 1938 and elevated to status in 1964, it is distinguished from other widow spiders by its distinctive coloration and lack of a complete hourglass marking. The species is listed as threatened in the United States due to its restricted range and habitat specificity.

Latrodectus bishopi samica by ArachnologLucy. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

L. Bishopi Trevor Austin 2020 by Dinosardan. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Latrodectus bishopi samiec by ArachnologLucy. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Latrodectus bishopi: /ˌlætrəˈdɛktəs ˈbɪʃəpaɪ/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from Latrodectus mactans by genitalic features: male palpal bulb embolus has one fewer loop, and female spermathecal connecting ducts have one fewer loop. Externally, the red-orange and vermillion legs contrast with the black spotted with red, and the incomplete or absent hourglass on the abdomen separates it from sympatric black widow .

Images

Appearance

Females have a red-orange , vermillion red legs, and a black with yellow rings outlining rows of red spots. The underside lacks the complete hourglass marking typical of other widow spiders, instead bearing one or two small red marks. Females are nearly double the size of males.

Habitat

Restricted to sand-pine scrub : inland dry sand dunes dominated by sand pine (Pinus clausa). Within this , constructs webs primarily in palmetto bushes (Serenoa repens and Sabal etonia) at heights of 30 cm or more above ground.

Distribution

to central and southern Florida, United States. Range limited to the Florida peninsula within sand-pine scrub vegetation.

Diet

Known of Hemisphaerota cyanea (a tortoise beetle). General feeding habits presumed similar to other Latrodectus but specific prey range otherwise undocumented.

Life Cycle

sacs stored in the funnel-shaped retreat of the web. Specific details of developmental stages, lifespan, and reproductive not documented in available sources.

Behavior

Constructs tangled webs with a funnel-shaped retreat below. Stores sacs in this retreat. Unlike more widow , it seldom comes into contact with humans due to restricted natural .

Ecological Role

within sand-pine scrub . Potential prey for sphecid and Florida scrub jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens), though events documented only circumstantially.

Human Relevance

Venomous, with neurotoxic venom (LD50 in mice: 2.20 mg/kg). One documented bite resulted in mildly painful throbbing lasting several hours. No bites recorded in medical literature; limited human contact due to restriction. Listed as threatened in the United States.

Similar Taxa

Latrodectus mactansOverlaps in Florida; distinguished by genitalic and external coloration (L. mactans has black coloration with red hourglass, not red-orange and vermillion legs)
Latrodectus geometricusPresent in Florida; brown coloration with orange or yellow hourglass marking, geometric pattern on , and more habits

More Details

Taxonomic history

Originally described by B. J. Kaston in 1938 as Latrodectus mactans variety bishopi, honoring Marshall B. Bishop who collected the . Elevated to full by McCrone and Levi in 1964 based on genitalic differences.

Conservation status

Listed as threatened in the United States due to status and restricted distribution within Florida's sand-pine scrub, a globally rare .

Venom composition

Contains latrotoxins typical of the . Each spider contains approximately 0.157 mg venom.