The black widow spider, known for its glossy black body and distinctive red hourglass marking. These arachnids are skilled predators, employing a unique strategy to secure their sustenance. Their predatory habits and the specialized ways they consume their prey are a testament to their adaptability in various environments.
Common Prey
Black widow spiders primarily sustain themselves on a diverse array of insects and other arthropods. Their diet frequently includes flies, mosquitoes, beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, and ants. Moths, caterpillars, and cockroaches also represent common food sources for these spiders.
Beyond insects, black widows are opportunistic predators that also consume other small arthropods. This can include scorpions, centipedes, and millipedes that become ensnared in their webs. While their diet mainly consists of invertebrates, there are rare instances where black widows have been observed capturing and consuming small vertebrates like frogs, small birds, or even tiny snakes and lizards that accidentally become trapped.
Hunting and Capture Methods
Black widows do not actively chase their prey; instead, they rely on their intricately constructed webs for hunting. Their webs are typically messy, irregular, and three-dimensional. The silk used in these webs is notably strong and sticky, making it effective at ensnaring a variety of creatures.
When prey becomes entangled, the struggling movements create vibrations that alert the black widow. The spider then swiftly approaches, using its front legs as sensory probes to locate the trapped victim. It quickly bites the prey to inject venom, which paralyzes the struggling insect. Following the venom injection, the spider uses comb-like bristles on its hind legs to rapidly fling silk, wrapping the prey tightly to secure it.
Feeding Process
Once the prey is subdued and wrapped in silk, the black widow spider initiates a unique feeding process. Unlike many animals that chew their food, spiders have a narrow gut that can only accommodate liquids. The black widow injects digestive enzymes into the prey’s body to liquefy its internal tissues.
This external digestion allows the spider to convert the solid contents of its victim into a consumable liquid. Once liquefied, the spider sucks up the fluid. This process leaves behind only an empty husk of the original prey. The venom typically takes about 10 minutes to affect the prey and for the digestive enzymes to begin their work.