The western black widow, the only spider species that can harm a person with toxins, is entering the reproductive phase of its life cycle and is more noticeable this time of year.

Black widows are small to medium-sized spiders with shiny black bodies. The females can easily be spotted by their distinctive red or orange hourglass-shaped marking on the underside of their abdomen.

However, in most cases, exposure to the venom isn't deadly. In a 2023 survey evaluating over 23,000 cases of people bitten by black widow spiders, just 1.4% experienced life-threatening symptoms.

Of these, 45 showed in-vitro neutralization of the black widow spider’s alpha-latrotoxin neurotoxin. According to the study, one antibody called MRU44-4-A1, showed particularly high neutralization.

Only two types of spiders in north-central Texas and southwestern Oklahoma have powerful enough venom to be of medical importance. These are the Black Widow and Brown Recluse spiders.

Black widow spiders are active in California. Here’s what the arachnids look like, where to find the pests and what to do if you’re bitten.

News How to protect yourself from the black widow, America’s most venomous spider Updated: Aug. 08, 2023, 7:58 a.m. | Published: Aug. 08, 2023, 7:47 a.m.