barito bajada
Western black widowInvertebrates

Western black widow

Latrodectus hesperus

Glossy black with a red hourglass; a genuinely venomous bite that's painful but rarely dangerous to a healthy adult. Webs in woodpiles, sheds, meter boxes, and low corners — wear gloves reaching into the undisturbed ones.

Key

Venomous — bite hurts, rarely dangerous
Comes indoors — shake out boots & bedding
Common — you'll see these
Barito Bajada — field notes from the desert