Sand-pine-scrub
Guides
Latrodectus bishopi
Red Widow
Latrodectus bishopi, the red widow spider, is a venomous cobweb spider endemic to the sand-pine scrub habitat of central and southern Florida. First described as a variety of L. mactans in 1938 and elevated to species 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.
Proctacanthus fulviventris
Proctacanthus fulviventris is a large robber fly in the nominate subfamily Asilinae, reaching 25–30 mm in length. The species is a Florida near-endemic with its distribution extending minimally into southern Georgia. It is distinguished by a bright yellow mystax (beard), black femora with red tibiae, and reddish abdominal terga. Females have been observed ovipositing in loose sandy soils.