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Nature Reflections_black_widow

Feature Article May 15

Feature Article May 15,2003

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Black WidowWhat! Black Widow Spiders here - yes, it is possible. Ask a lady in Sharbot Lake and she will tell you that she was bitten by one about seven weeks ago, and is still feeling some of the effects. She did not see the spider, but the reaction she had is typical of a reaction to a Black Widow Spider bite.These spiders are quite rare in Ontario, and only a few bites have been recorded, but a specimen collected near Madoc last fall was definitely identified as a Black Widow. It is quite possible that either this one or the one suspected in Sharbot Lake came along for the ride as an unwelcome and uninvited guest with travellers returning from more southern areas. It is also possible that this spider is expanding its range. Maybe it has found our environment is changing and it likes the changes.

There are five kinds of Black Widow Spiders and the one found in Ontario is the Northern Black Widow. Called Black Widow because it may (rarely) eat the male after mating, it is quite distinctive in appearance. An adult female body length is about 12-13 mm including an almost spherical abdomen about 7.2-9.6 mm in diameter, with overall length including legs of about 38-43 mm; males are about half the size of the female with a more elongated body. The female is typically shiny black, with a triangular reddish hourglass-shaped marking on the underside. Males may be cream or brown with a colour pattern on top side. The pattern may vary, though usually consisting of a row of red spots with white lines or bars radiating out to sides.

They generally live under rocks and under fallen trees outside the home. In and around the house they are often found in firewood piles, basements and crawl spaces. They are also found in secluded places, such as garages and sheds. Only the female Black Widow bites. She is very shy and becomes aggressive only when guarding her pear-shaped egg sac or to defend herself. She spends most of her time hanging upside down from her tangled-looking web. From this position she can sense vibrations from insects that stumble into the threads of her web, and at the same time advertise her red hourglass as a warning to predators. The female avoids light and tends to work at night. For the most part, black widows live peacefully in close proximity to humans, and cases of reported bites are rare.

The bite is rarely fatal but can be, particularly for children, and medical aid should be sought so that an antivenom may be given. Another poisonous spider, the Brown Recluse Spider or the fiddleback spider, is found in some of the southern states. I am told there are no records of it in Ontario except one specimen found in the Museum in Toronto years ago - I was not told if it was alive or in a specimen case!

Observations: Many migrants returning - Apr 20 - Northern Mockingbird, Edie Cairns, Sharbot Lake; Apr 21 - Eastern Towhee, Bill van Vugt, Arden; Apr. 30 - Hermit Thrush, Peter Bell; May 4 - five Double-crested Cormorants, and May 8 - Great Crested Flycatcher, Shirley Peruniak, Sharbot Lake; May 6 - Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and May 7 - Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Sue Munro, Maberly; May 7- White-crowned Sparrow and May 8 - Bobolink, Barbara Geddes Sharbot Lake. Many Ruby-throated Hummingbirds - one bird seen on May 1 on Bell Line Road then again on May 6, on May 8 at Wolfe Lake, Armstrong Road, and Oconto, and at Flint on May 10. Get your feeders out - 1 cup of sugar to 4 cups of water and no food coloring. Nesting Phoebes, Oconto, Helm; May 10 - Eastern Bluebird nestlings, Florence Warren, Bell Line Road. Other reports: May 4 - one Wild Turkey, Lola Stacey, west of Harrowsmith. Thanks to all for the reports! Many spring flowers now in bloom. Share your exciting discoveries, call Jean Griffin, 268-2518.

With the participation of the Government of Canada