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Glite Dictionary
Latrodectus mactans

Latrodectus mactans

9.9
A venomous spider called the black widow with a black body and a red hourglass under its abdomen
  • noun
  • /ˌlætroʊˈdɛktəs ˈmækˌtænz/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Latrodectus mactans
  • Female Latrodectus mactans spiders are easily recognized by the red hourglass marking on their abdomens.

Examples

  • The bite of the Latrodectus mactans can cause severe reactions in humans if untreated.

  • Researchers captured several Latrodectus mactans specimens for their venom studies.

  • The Latrodectus mactans is known for its potent venom.

  • Many people fear the Latrodectus mactans due to its bite.

  • Female Latrodectus mactans spiders are easily recognized by the red hourglass marking on their abdomens.

  • The bite of the Latrodectus mactans can cause severe reactions in humans if untreated.

  • Many people fear the Latrodectus mactans due to its potent venom and aggressive behavior.

Synonyms

black widow
vsLatrodectus mactans
  • US
12 5.6

A venomous spider from the Americas whose female is black with a red hourglass on the underside of its body

is the formal scientific Latin name for the same spider

Surface Forms

Latrodectus mactans singular
Latrodectus mactanses plural

Morphology

Latrodectus + mactans

This is a Latin scientific binomial acting as an arbitrary taxonomic label; knowing the constituent forms does not allow a B1 learner to derive the common-name meaning 'black widow'. The second element 'mactans' is not a standard English word (and is listed as not found), and scientific names are conventionally opaque labels across languages rather than compositional phrases.

Etymology

Latrodectus mactans comes from old Latin used by scientists. The second word mactans means 'killer', a name chosen because the spider's venom can be dangerous, so the name helps you remember this is the black widow with a harmful bite.