The first thing you need to know about brown widow spiders is their habitat. They tend to live in dark places, such as old clothing and high shelves, and they also like to hide in toys and play structures. Make sure that you throw away any toys or play structures that you no longer use, as they may harbor brown widow spiders. Here are some common brown widow spider habits:
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Prey
Although a brown widow spider’s bite is not as dangerous as that of its larger cousin, the spider can be a nuisance if it has a nest nearby. The spiders’ bite leaves a red mark and is much less painful than the venom of a black widow. Although the bite of a brown widow spider is not as painful as that of its black-headed cousin, it is still important to visit a doctor if you are bitten by one of these venomous insects.
Brown widow spiders spin a sticky, irregular, and messy web. Bugs fly and crawl into the web. When one lands, the spider’s web vibrates, catching the bug and biting it. It then wraps the insect in its silk to protect it from further harm. While most spiders are not harmful to humans, killing them will increase the population of mosquitos, cockroaches, and flies.
Habitat
In the United States, the peridomestic habitat is home to the brown widow spider. They inhabit areas with a high level of lighting, loose bark, and hollow trees. If you live in a place that is susceptible to this type of spider, you should be aware of its habits and avoid it. This species is not harmful to humans, but they can bite and inflict minor injuries. The most common location where you might encounter them is the upper corner of a window.
The egg sac of a brown widow spider is about a centimeter in diameter. Newly laid eggs are white. However, they soon turn yellow/tan. After hatching, the egg sacs are dark gray and reveal the mass of spiderlings. The egg sacs are also unique from other Latrodectus species, as the brown widow spiders have white silk spikes on their surface. However, Abalos and colleagues have not found any evidence of this characteristic on the egg sacs of other Latrodectus species.
Venom
The venom of brown widow spiders is slightly less potent than the venom of black-headed spiders. Despite their lethal nature, they only inject a small amount of venom into humans during their bite. They also have neurotoxic venom that acts on nerve endings to build up latrodectism-like symptoms. Although these spiders are dangerous, their presence in the home should be avoided.
The California spider was first found in Ventura County, California, but has now been discovered throughout southwestern San Diego County, Monterey Bay, and the San Francisco Bay area. Besides Ventura County, isolated finds of the California spider have been made in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. While these spider bites have been mild, the pain from their fang penetration is still enough to require medical attention. This spider will likely continue to spread throughout coastal California.
Venomous bite
A brown widow spider is a small, but deadly species of venomous spiders that is often mistaken for a common household pest. This species is not widespread, but its bite can cause severe latrodectism if not recognized in time. Quick identification of a spider bite by a health professional can increase patient comfort and satisfaction and improve discharge rates. Below are some symptoms that may be associated with this deadly spider.
Venom from the female brown widow spider is neurotoxic, and the male does not inject the venom. Experts disagree on the potency of the venom in a brown widow spider’s bite, but the consensus is that this species is less aggressive than black widow spiders and carries out fewer stings. Although this species of spider has a history of venomous bites, it is not as dangerous as its black cousin.
Egg sacs
The eggs of brown widow spiders hatch from the egg sac in about fourteen to twenty days. Once they hatch, they remain in the egg sac for a month to two months before they begin to develop patterns. They resemble an hourglass with white instead of orange stripes. Photographs of newly hatched spiderlings by Donald W. Hall show that the brown widow spider’s egg sacs are approximately half an inch long.
The egg sacs of the brown widow spider are similar to those of the western black wingless spider. The two spider species are similar except for the small black spots on top of the diagonal abdominal stripes and the olive-grey background coloration. The brown widow spider’s egg sac is a more diagnostic indicator of its species. While most spider egg sacs resemble a lemon drop candy or a small cotton ball, the brown widow spider’s egg sac is filled with several strands of silk spicules.
