Truth Behind the Venomous Bite: Brown Widow vs. Black Widow and Daddy Long Legs

When discussing venomous spiders, the names black widow and brown widow often come up, alongside the colloquial term daddy long legs. However, there is a lot of misinformation surrounding these arachnids, specifically regarding the potency of their venom. Let’s delve into the facts about each of these spiders to understand their capabilities and potential danger.

Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus mactans)

The black widow is one of the most feared spiders due to its potent venom. Its bite contains a neurotoxin known as alpha-latrotoxin, which can cause severe pain, muscle cramps, and other symptoms that can be life-threatening in rare cases. Despite its reputation, black widows are generally not aggressive and frequently avoid confrontation.

Brown Widow Spider (Latrodectus geometricus)

In contrast, the brown widow spider, Latrodectus geometricus, has significantly milder venom. While it does have the Latrodectus genus, which includes black widows, the brown widow's venom is much less potent. The extract from a brown widow's venom has been found to be about 1/10 as potent as that of a black widow, based on a study involving mice.

Interestingly, the brown widow also delivers less venom per bite. This means that even if a brown widow chooses to bite, the amount of venom administered is considerably less, reducing the likelihood of serious symptoms.

Daddy Long Legs (Harvestman and Cellar Spider)

The term "daddy long legs" can be misleading as it refers to two different groups of arachnids with distinct characteristics:

Harvestman (Opiliones): These arachnids, despite their name, do not belong to the spider family; they have no venom glands or fangs. They are typically harmless and do not pose a threat to humans. Cellar Spider (Pholcidae): While these spiders are often called "daddy long legs" due to their long, thin legs and body structure, they possess mild venom. However, the venom they produce is almost ineffective against humans and is rarely, if ever, injected in bites, making their encounters risk-free for most people.

Key Takeaways

The venom of black widows is highly potent, while brown widows have much milder venom. Brown widows deliver less venom per bite than black widows. Daddy long legs, whether harvestmen or cellar spiders, are not venomous to humans, or if venomous, it is almost ineffective.

Understanding the differences between these spiders is crucial for avoiding unnecessary fear and ensuring safety. While some spiders can be dangerous, others, like brown widows and daddy long legs, are far less concerning from a venom perspective.

Keywords: brown widow spider, black widow spider, daddy long legs