Latrodectus cinctus

Distribution

Latrodectus cinctus is found in Cape Verde, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, and throughout Africa including Ghana, Morocco, Mozambique, Kenya, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Togo, Eswatini, and South Africa.

In South Africa, the species has been sampled from the provinces Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Western Cape. Notable locations include Mountain Zebra National Park and Ithala Nature Reserve.

Habitat and ecology

This species constructs three-dimensional webs in dark corners in a variety of microhabitats and is more common in the eastern parts of South Africa.

Latrodectus cinctus inhabits a large range at altitudes from 10 to 1513 m above sea level. It has been sampled from the Grassland, Indian Ocean Coastal Belt, Nama Karoo, Savanna, and Thicket biomes. The species is also found in crops such as citrus and tomatoes.

Description

Conservation

Latrodectus cinctus is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide geographical range.

References

References

1. "Latrodectus cinctus Blackwall, 1865". World Spider Catalog.
2. Blackwall, J.. (1865). "Descriptions of recently discovered species and characters of a new genus, of Araneida from the east of Central Africa". Annals and Magazine of Natural History.
3. (2021). "The Theridiidae of South Africa. Part 1 A-P". South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide.
4. (19 September 2012). "Spider bite in southern Africa: diagnosis and management". Continuing Medical Education.