Steatoda
(False Widows)

Picture ID 193370

Comments & ID Thoughts

Does anyone know what this is? Google says it’s a black widow but the markings aren’t bright red. It was very small, found it in my garage. The weather has been unusually warm the past few days.

Submitted by:
ajordan
Submitted: Jan 25, 2024
Photographed: Jan 25, 2024
Spider: Steatoda (False Widows)
Location: Ohio, United States
Spotted Indoors: Garage or shed
Found in web?: No
Attributes:

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BugmanDan

January 25, 2024 9:27 pm

I am shure this is a false widow, Steatoda genus. The patterns are vague but could be Steatoda borealis.
Species Steatoda borealis – BugGuide.Net

TangledWeb

Moderator

January 25, 2024 9:32 pm

Good job, you ignored Google! 🙂 This is a Cobweb Spider in genus Steatoda, possibly Steatoda grossa. They are in the same family, Theridiidae, as Black Widows, but as you noted, they don’t have any red on them. Their venom is not medically significant to humans, but they are potent against other spiders and bugs. Steatoda grossa can kill Black Widows and roaches, and ticks. I recommend letting these spiders live with you, they are adapted for living with people. I have my own herd of Cobweavers guarding my house. They catch every flying insect that doesn’t get captured by… Read more »