Noble False Widow Steatoda nobilis

Photo of Noble False Widow (Steatoda nobilis)

(c) Jennifer Arrow, some rights reserved (CC BY)

OrderSpiders (Araneae)
FamilyComb-footed Spiders (Theridiidae)
GenusFalse Widow Spiders (Steatoda)

You've probably heard scary stories about this spider—but here's the truth: it's far less dangerous than its notorious relatives. Yes, it looks like a black widow, which is why people panic when they find one in homes. But most bites feel like a bee or wasp sting and resolve quickly. The real concern isn't its venom—it's bacteria the spider carries on its fangs that can sometimes cause infection. So if you spot one lurking in a corner, it's far more interested in eating insects than bothering you.

Think you can identify this one in the wild?

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