Out of the few spiders that show sexual cannibalism during courtship or mating is the Redback Spider (Latrodectus hasselti) of the family Theridiidae where the males assist in the cannibalism process. The female’s pea size is supported by slender legs and underside showing an hourglass-shape with a red or orange streak from where it gets its name. This spider is common in South Australia, building funnel-like but untidy webs. The Redback Spider is also called Australian Black Widow, Red-striped spider, or Jockey Spider capable of producing a lethal venom. Like most spiders, they are nocturnal and common in human habitats.
Male and female Redback Spiders vary in size. The female Redback Spider has an overall legspan length between 1.1”-1.34” (28-34 mm), body length of .31”-.39” (8-10 mm), body width of .17”-.21” (4.3-5.4 mm), and body height of .19”-.24” (4.7-6 mm). The male Redback Spider has an overall legspan length between .43”-.55” (11-14 mm), body length of .12”-.16” (3-4 mm), body width of .06”-.09” (1.6-2.2 mm), and body height of .07”-.09” (1.8-2.4 mm). The common lifespan of the Redback Spider is between 1-3 years.
Out of the few spiders that show sexual cannibalism during courtship or mating is the Redback Spider (Latrodectus hasselti) of the family Theridiidae where the males assist in the cannibalism process. The female’s pea size is supported by slender legs and underside showing an hourglass-shape with a red or orange streak from where it gets its name. This spider is common in South Australia, building funnel-like but untidy webs. The Redback Spider is also called Australian Black Widow, Red-striped spider, or Jockey Spider capable of producing a lethal venom. Like most spiders, they are nocturnal and common in human habitats.
Male and female Redback Spiders vary in size. The female Redback Spider has an overall legspan length between 1.1”-1.34” (28-34 mm), body length of .31”-.39” (8-10 mm), body width of .17”-.21” (4.3-5.4 mm), and body height of .19”-.24” (4.7-6 mm). The male Redback Spider has an overall legspan length between .43”-.55” (11-14 mm), body length of .12”-.16” (3-4 mm), body width of .06”-.09” (1.6-2.2 mm), and body height of .07”-.09” (1.8-2.4 mm). The common lifespan of the Redback Spider is between 1-3 years.
