Arizona's WildLife

The western black widow spider (Latrodectus hesperus) is a venomous arachnid native to Arizona, easily recognized by its glossy black body and distinctive red hourglass marking on the underside of its abdomen. Preferring dark, sheltered areas such as woodpiles, sheds, crawl spaces, and rocky crevices, this nocturnal spider builds irregular, tangled webs to capture prey. Its diet consists primarily of insects and other small arthropods, which it immobilizes with venom before feeding. While the black widow’s venom is medically significant, bites are rare when humans avoid direct contact. As both predator and prey, black widows help regulate insect populations and contribute to the ecological balance of Arizona’s terrestrial habitats.