Hi,
I found this creature under my sink, and would really appreciate it if anyone happens to recognize it.
I'm no expert, but I know my country has black/brown widows as well as fake ones - could it be any of those?
I'd hate to hurt it if it's harmless :(
thanks again.
I cannot be absolutely certain from this image, but it most likely in in the genus Steatoda, some members of which are referred to as 'false widow spiders.' See http://www.eurospiders.com/Steatoda_grossa.htm for an example.
The shape is right for a black widow, but the color is very hard to tell in the picture. First if it looks very shiny like patent leather, and next, if you see it's belly, if it has a red spot on it. Under the sink is another clue.
Many years ago I had one living under my bathroom sink. When I would go in there I would catch a movement out of the corner of my eye. One night I went in there without turning on the light and felt something against my bare leg. I reached around and turned on the light and there was a web spun across the doorway. It wasn't in there, because whenever there was movement it would flash back under the sink. Washbowl. I had my husband get it out of there and yes, it was a black widow spider.
Also, my mother was staying with us for a short time, I had just given birth to my daughter and my mom had come to help me. Well, when she dried her face on the towel in the bathroom and there was one on the towel. The next day, she insisted on taking me and the baby back home with her.
Thanks very much for both replies.
Sorry for the image quality, I'll try to get a better one. Unfortunately those spiders never agree to pose for a selfie, let alone show me the patterns on their belly :D
Just judging from the image provided, I believe that it is much more likely to be a Steatoda than a Latrodectus...
I am no authority on spiders, but I have never seen a black widow with such a pale abdomen.
The one that I believe is the stomach they said was a young one. Immature.
I personally would not want to take a chance. The problem is, they, black widows, are very difficult to eradicate. I am sure things have gotten better but when I was young my dad put one in a glass jar and also dropped straight DDT on it. He watched it, and it knocked the spider out but after a few hours it started moving it's legs and soon was just fine.
Cruel? Maybe, but I would rather be cruel than dead, which I could be if I were bitten and did not know it, didn't have it treated.
