They found that the birds were 2.9 times more likely to attack the plain black spiders than the faux black widows. Smaller birds were especially likely to take off at the sight of the red hourglass.

Its strange red hourglass-shaped mark apparently acts as a warning sign to deter potential Just like the comic book spy who bears its name, the black widow is an expert at 'sending' hidden messages.

The telltale red hourglass of the black widow spider appears brighter and more contrasting to birds than to insects, finds a new study. The red-and-black color combination sends a 'beware!' signal ...

image: The black widow spider's telltale red hourglass-shaped mark appears brighter and more contrasting to birds than to insects, finds a new study.

In a study published in Behavioural Ecology, the researchers tested whether birds recognize and avoid black widows.They made 8 plastic spider models – 4 painted black and 4 with red hourglass ...

After a black widow bite, the first symptom is typically a painful pinprick sensation on your skin, which is caused by the neurotoxin alpha latrotoxin that makes up the venom. Within an hour of being ...

This female black widow has a solid red hourglass without the red rump spot, and the males and juveniles have a whole different set of nonblack patterns than the other two species.

PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS Deadly black widow spiders have been found in Osaka. [951128 FR 14A SC] PAGE 14A SPIDER 11/28 This is one of the deadly red back spiders, commonly known as the black widow ...

Experts say the population of the venomous black widow spiders is highest this summer as it mates and lays its eggs. ... “Blackish with that red hourglass mark on the underside of the abdomen.