Northern Black Widow Latrodectus variolus

The infamous black widow reputation precedes this spider, and the northern widow certainly deserves respect. Females pack a potent neurotoxin that's been studied for potential medical applications. The shiny black body with its signature red or orange hourglass marking makes these spiders unmistakable—and wise people give them a wide berth. Related to the southern and western black widows, the northern widow is adapted to cooler climates. Actual bite incidents are rare, and fatalities even rarer, so most people safely coexist with these spiders by simply leaving them alone.