Fauna
Arachnid

Mediterranean Black Widow

Latrodectus tredecimguttatus

Also known as European Black Widow, Thirteen-Spotted Spider, Karakurt

Glossy black females sport up to thirteen reddish or orange spots across their bulbous abdomens, giving this web-weaver its distinctive look and species name. They construct messy, highly durable tangle webs close to the ground beneath loose rocks, thick vegetation, or agricultural debris across Mediterranean scrublands and Central Asian steppes. Active primarily at night, these cobweb spiders immobilize heavy grasshoppers and beetles using elastic silk lines before delivering a paralyzed bite.

VenomousNocturnalArachnid
Mediterranean Black Widow reference
(c) Roman, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Roman · cc-by
—observations
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyGrasshoppers, Beetles, Crickets
Predators
  • Spider wasps
  • Lizards
  • Birds
ThreatsPesticide application and habitat alteration through intensive farming
HabitatsDry grasslands, scrublands, rocky slopes, and agricultural fields
Life span1–2 years
Classification
  1. FamilyTheridiidae
  2. SpeciesLatrodectus tredecimguttatus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskVery high
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is very high
Delivers a painful neurotoxic bite when squeezed or cornered; observe from a safe distance without direct handling.
Why it is dangerous
Injects latrotoxin venom causing severe muscle cramping, intense pain, sweating, and systemic distress known as latrodectism.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognize the glossy black body marked with up to thirteen vivid red, orange, or yellow spots on the abdomen.
What to do
Avoid reaching bare hands under rocks or into dark crevices; back away slowly if a spider is encountered.
Responsible observation
  • Spotting: Look for strong, tangled silk strands near ground level under rocks or dry brush.
  • Safety: Wear protective gloves when moving rocks, firewood, or debris in endemic areas.
  • Observation: Use a red-filtered flashlight at night when females wait at the center of their webs.
Related species
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