''Latrodectus curacaviensis'' is a

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

of black widow spider, that belongs to the

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

Latrodectus ''Latrodectus'' is a broadly distributed genus of spiders with several species that are commonly known as the true widows. This group is composed of those often loosely called black widow spiders, brown widow spiders, and similar spiders. Howeve ...

''. It is known as the South American black widow, Brazilian black widow or Araña del trigo.

Description

Like many black widow species, females are larger than males, growing up to 11–17 mm, with their body and legs black and red. Males are much smaller, known by their long legs, and white or brown color. ''Latrodectus curacaviensis'' is mainly nocturnal. It is not aggressive to humans, but females will attack to defend their egg sacs. It feeds on small insects. They have a distinct hourglass mark with a black diamond shape and four red triangles in a square. Bites are rare but dangerous.

Distribution and habitat

It has been reported in the Lesser Antilles and South America. It is usually found under logs, in sheds, stone fireplaces, near trash and debris.

Venom

The venom contains excitatory neurotoxins ( alpha-latrotoxins). Bites usually deliver only small amounts of venom, which may result in dangerous symptoms mostly in children, old people and people with cardiovascular and respiratory problems. Reported symptoms include intense local pain. Systemic symptoms include sweating, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, eyelids swelling, salivation, rigid and painful abdominal muscles, nausea, vomits and impaired sight. In a case that occurred in the state of

Amazonas, Brazil Amazonas () is a state of Brazil, located in the North Region in the northwestern corner of the country. It is the largest Brazilian state by area and the 9th largest country subdivision in the world, and the largest in South America, being g ...

, other symptoms were reported, such as muscle spasms, fever, chills and intense sweating – common symptoms of

latrodectism Latrodectism () is the illness caused by the bite of ''Latrodectus'' spiders (the black widow spider and related species). Pain, muscle rigidity, vomiting, and sweating are the symptoms of latrodectism. There are several spider species all named b ...

, There are some reports of priapism. The average venom yield is 0.60 mg, and the maximum is 1.30 mg, the lethal dose is 0.170 mg by intravenous injection and 0.240 mg by subcutaneous injection.

References

curacaviensis Spiders of South America Spiders described in 1776 Taxa named by Otto Friedrich Müller {{Theridiidae-stub