Latrodectus geometricus
species of arachnid
Latrodectus geometricus, commonly known as the brown widow, brown button spider, grey widow, brown black widow, house button spider or geometric button spider, is one of the widow spiders in the genus Latrodectus. As such, it is a 'cousin' to the more infamous Latrodectus mactans (black widow).
L. geometricus has black and white patterns on the sides of its abdomen as well as an orange-yellow colored hourglass shape marking. Their eggs are easily identified by points that project from all over the egg sacs. L. geometricus are found all over the world, but are believed to originate in Africa or South America. Their bites, though painful, are not considered to be dangerous.
Habitat and ecology
This species constructs three-dimensional webs in dark corners in a variety of microhabitats and is commonly found around houses. The egg sac is distinctive with spikes.
L. geometricus builds webs with a retreat from which delaying retreats radiate. From the delaying threads to the ground, sticky threads are laid down.
“Latrodectus geometricus” enters the record as species of arachnid. Crown Archives preserves that source wording while asking what Latrodectus, geometricus and species can confirm, complicate or overturn.
Why this record matters
“Latrodectus geometricus” is worth following because a concise public description often conceals a longer documentary argument. Here, Latrodectus, geometricus and species provides the most credible route into that argument.
Datasets, specimens, observations and peer-reviewed methods provide the appropriate test for the technical claims summarized here. The source revision retrieved here is dated Aug 30, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q82243. The Library of Congress control number is sh85074985. 1 of 1 selected statements include explicit references; 0 carry qualifiers and 0 use preferred rank.
Scientific names, classifications and consensus can change while older terminology persists in catalogues and historical literature. The lead is largely declarative, so disagreement and counter-evidence require a deliberate search beyond the opening account. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Check terminology, classification and the date of the cited evidence. Scientific names and technical consensus can change while older records retain historical value.
- Current terminology
- Classification context
- Finding cited technical literature
Primary datasets, specimen catalogues, standards bodies and the most recent peer-reviewed literature.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “Latrodectus geometricus”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow Latrodectus geometricus primary sources, Latrodectus geometricus archive and Latrodectus research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “Latrodectus geometricus”?
- Is the terminology current, historical or disputed?
- Has classification or technical consensus changed since the cited source?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “Latrodectus geometricus” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.