Did a new breed of spider called brown widow spider invade local familys back yard?”
Size: Body may be up to 3/4-inch in length with the abdomen reaching 3/8-inch in diameter. Color: Typically glossy black but may also be dark brown to light brown. Related widow spiders may be brown. The characteristic red markings on the underside of the abdomen often connect to form an hourglass shape, but this does not always occur. Some specimens may have red-to-orange spots on the top of the abdomen. Behavior The black widow spider is widely feared because its bite results in severe pain that may take several days to subside. Such bites are rarely fatal but small children and elderly persons are at risk. Black widow spiders construct irregular, scaffold-type webs usually near the ground level. These webs are almost always constructed in a protected site such as among items piled together, beneath boards, in firewood, and between boxes. Newly hatched spiderlings climb to high points, release a strand of webbing and are propelled by “ballooning” to new locations. For this reason, bu
A new breed of spider is showing up around San Diego, and experts say the number of poisonous brown widow spiders — which are not native to Southern California — continues to grow. Brown widow spiders have made the Webb family’s back yard their home, and they refuse to leave. “It’s just creepy … when they start moving into the house that’s when I move out,” said Kelli Webb. The Webbs have their very own spider colony on their property. The spiders are in their trash cans, flower pots and patio furniture. “A couple weekends ago we found over 100,” said Webb. “They’re everywhere.” Originally from South Africa, the brown widow spiders were first spotted in San Diego in 2004. Experts say they have multiplied by the thousands and have been found as far north as Carlsbad and as far south as Imperial Beach. The Webbs have a 3-month-old son and they think twice about spending any time in their back yard. The brown widow spiders are poisonous, and in the first 15 minutes of 10News’ visit more
