Northern Black Widow (Latrodectus variolus)

Northern Black Widow, a reference photo — Photo: Marshal Hedin · CC BY 2.0 (licence)

Latrodectus variolus, the northern black widow spider or northern widow, is a venomous species of spider in the genus Latrodectus of the family Theridiidae. The population is closely related to the red widow, Latrodectus bishopi.

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Is it venomous or poisonous?

Venomous. The note covers its whole genus. Widow spiders; latrotoxin Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.

Easily confused with

Latrodectus mactans — venomous
Latrodectus occidentalis — venomous
Latrodectus mirabilis — venomous
Latrodectus hesperus — venomous
Latrodectus thoracicus — venomous

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Family: Theridiidae
Genus: Latrodectus
Species: Latrodectus variolus

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