Pests > Pest Management > Quarantine > Containers > Latrodectus sp., Maldives (interception)
Pests Pest Management QuarantineContainers Latrodectus sp., Maldives (interception)
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Latrodectus sp., Maldives
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A spider was found in an imported container. The container has been fumigated and treated with cypermethrin.
It was thought to be a member of the black widow group of spiders, Latrodectus spp.; the common name is Redback spider in Australia or Black widow in North America. They have a poisonous bite. The red hourglass on the abdomen is indicative of that. The species usually called black widow, Latrodectes mactans, has red markings on the dorsal side also.
Next time, consider placing the spider in a jar or other container with some sticks and branches and common insects as prey in order to learn about its behaviour. This is useful, especially when intercepting immature stages: you can rear them to a stage that can be easier to identify. They can always be pickled after that.
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