Black widow spiders (Latrodectus) are known for their potent venom. Understanding their geographical distribution and preferred living spaces is helpful for awareness. These spiders have adapted to various environments, establishing populations across the globe.
Worldwide Distribution
Latrodectus spiders are found on every continent except Antarctica, demonstrating their adaptability to diverse climates. Their broad distribution spans tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions across the Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
The genus includes many species, with different types dominating specific geographical areas. While informally known as “black widows,” their appearance and specific ranges vary considerably. Human activities, such as the transport of goods, have contributed to the expansion of their ranges, allowing some species to establish populations in new localities.
Species-Specific Locations
North America hosts several prominent black widow species. The Southern Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans) is primarily found in the southeastern United States, extending north to southern New York and west to Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. It also occurs in parts of southern Canada, Mexico, the West Indies, and South America.
The Western Black Widow (Latrodectus hesperus) inhabits western North America, from British Columbia to Manitoba and across western U.S. states like California, Arizona, and Texas. This species adapts to various environments, including deserts and mountainous regions. The Northern Black Widow (Latrodectus variolus) is associated with the Middle Atlantic states, such as New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, but its range can extend from northern Florida to southeastern Canada.
Beyond North America, other notable Latrodectus species exist. The Redback Spider (Latrodectus hasseltii), often called the Australian black widow, is native to Australia and found throughout Southeast Asia and New Zealand. It has also been introduced to other regions, including parts of the United States, often via shipping. The European Black Widow (Latrodectus tredecimguttatus) is prevalent across the Mediterranean region and Central Asia.
The Brown Widow spider (Latrodectus geometricus), believed to originate in Africa or South America, has a wide global distribution. It is now found in various tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including the Americas, Poland, the Middle East, and Australia, with established populations in places like Hawaii and California.
Preferred Habitats
Black widow spiders generally prefer secluded, dark, and undisturbed areas for building their irregular, tangled webs. These webs are usually found close to the ground.
Outdoors, common habitats include woodpiles, under rocks, hollow logs, and cluttered spaces like sheds, garages, and barns. They also establish webs under eaves, in hollow tree stumps, and within rodent burrows. These locations offer shelter from predators, protection from extreme weather, and proximity to prey.
Indoors, black widows might inhabit less-frequented areas like basements, crawl spaces, and attics. They are drawn to quiet corners, cluttered areas, and rarely disturbed items like cardboard boxes or old shoes, which provide ideal spaces for web construction and concealment. These spiders prioritize stability and shelter, seeking environments with consistent warmth and minimal human activity.