Black Widow Adult Female

Location: Under the front window of our home in Phoenix, 1991.

Equipment:  Canon EOS Elan, 100 mm macro lens. Shot at f2.8, at about 1/60 seconds set on ISO 100. Illuminated with Canon Macro Ring Flash.

Digital imaging/manipulation: Image scanned with Minolta Dimage Scan Multi PRO at 4800 dpi.  Emulsion artifact removed.

Notes: Latrodectus hesperus is a western relative of the "black widow." It's bite is pretty much the same. Few if any well documented fatalities have resulted from bites, but I've never met anyone that enjoyed it. If you live in the desert southwest, these are your neighbors. And turn back the sheets when you get into bed. As with scorpions, just don't put your hands or feet where you can't see. They don't predate humans, but will bite if they are being crushed in clothing.