White Widow Spider: How to Identify and Manage


The White Widow spider can be found in the steppes of southern Russia, Kazakhstan, and other southwest Asian countries while also inhabiting the desert regions of the Middle East. Compared to other widow spiders in the region, the white widow spider is comparatively rare.

White widow spider
White widow spider (Latrodectus pallidus) caught a bee on flower of Echinacea. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com/Kylbabka

White widow spider: Identification.

Dark hues characterize most widow spiders; however, the white widow spider is quite the opposite. As its name implies, the white widow features light tones ranging from beige to white, with darker legs for contrast.

In addition, it differs significantly in appearance compared to other related arachnids, such as black widows and redback spiders, due to its lack of bright red markings found on them – Lactrodectus tredecimguttatus being an exception here. Otherwise, it carries similar traits to other members of the genus Latrodectus family.

White widow spiders: Mating behavior.

White widow spiders are a prime example of males committing to a single mating. These arachnids tend to live alongside female counterparts for extensive periods, putting effort into courtship displays that require large amounts of energy expenditure and sometimes even fall victim to cannibalism following reproduction.

Male white widow spiders usually have smaller bodies than females due to not feeding after reaching maturity; instead, they use their lifetime to pursue potential mates.

Are White widow spiders dangerous?

All species of Latrodectus, including the white widow spider, have venomous bites that can be hazardous to humans.

While it is not as toxic as other species, such as Lantrans mactans (black widow) or Lantrans hasselti, the bite from a white widow spider should still be taken seriously. Indeed, bites on children and those in weak health conditions are potentially fatal. 

Research studies conclude that the toxins contained in white widow spider venom are similar to those found in L. tredecimguttatus – nonetheless, they remain moderately venomous. This makes the white widow spider more dangerous than most spiders encountered around Southern Europe, where this particular breed originates.

Further recommended reading about spiders.

Spider pages: Learn how to identify and avoid these spiders.

Striped spider in the U.S.

How long do spiders live?

Spider anatomy 101.

The most venomous spiders in the world.

Zebra spiders.

Furrow orb weaver spider.

Marbled orb weaver spiders.

Red house spider identification.

Purse web spider.

Crab spider: How to identify.

Orb weaver Spiders: How to identify and get rid of them.

Common house spiders: How to Identify and get rid of them.

Dark fishing spiders.

Six-Eyed Sand Spider: Is the White Sand Spider Dangerous?

10 biggest spiders in the world.

The Red widow spider

Giant Huntsman Spider: How to Identify the Largest Spider

Brazilian salmon pink bird-eating tarantula

Brazilian Giant Tawny Red Tarantula

Colombian Giant Redleg Tarantula

Cerbalus Aravaensis: Middle East’s Largest Spider

Camel spiders: Myths and Facts.

Net-casting spiders: How to identify these spiders.

White-tailed spider: How to identify and manage.

Katipo Spider: How to identify New Zealand’s venomous spider

Brown widow spider: How to identify and avoid the false widow.

Redback spiders how to identify them and prevent bites

Funnel weaver spiders vs funnel-web

Cellar spiders how to identify and get rid of them

How to identify the wolf spider

How to identify the hobo spider

Brazilian wandering spider how to identify and avoid

Huntsman spider how to identify the eight legged freak

Jumping spiders how to identify these harmless hunters

Black widow spiders how to identify and avoid

Tarantulas appearance diet and mating

Do tarantulas bite?

Brown recluse spiders how to identify and avoid

Dennis V. Gilmore Jr.

Dennis V. Gilmore Jr. is a former Marine Sergeant and the author of several books, including two on night hunting coyotes and red and gray fox. He has written several hundred articles on predator hunting for ThePredatorHunter.com.

Recent Posts