PB1193-The Black Widow Spider

Araneophobia, or an irrational fear of spiders, is common among people in the United States. Few other spiders are as apt to make people uncomfortable as is the black widow. Black widow spiders are very numerous in nearly all parts of the U.S., but cases of reported bites are rare. For the most part, black widows live peacefully in close proximity to humans with little contact. Although both male and female black widow spiders are highly venomous, according to our knowledge, no reports of bites from the males have been recorded.