Two species of black widow spider discovered in Sultanate

Muscat: Omani researchers have discovered two species of the black widow spider, also known as the Latrodectus which belongs to the Theridiidae family, in Oman for the first time.

These species were first discovered by researchers B-Conflack and van Harten in 2002 in a study conducted in the Arabian Peninsula.

In the 2002 study, six species were found in Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait but their presence was not recorded in Oman.

The 2019 study revealed the presence of two unique species of the black widow spider in Oman: Latrodectus cincus and Latrodactus geometricus C.L.Koch.

The study found that the first type of species was found in many northern governorates of the Sultanate while the second type’s presence was recorded in the Dhofar governorate only. In 2002 its presence was recorded in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen.

The black widow is a non-aggressive spider and builds its house next to the cracks or holes in the corners of the walls, sidewalks, the walls of the outer houses, farms and protected agricultural houses. The female rarely leaves her home except to move from one place to another.

This information was shared in the Al Washaq bulletin, issued by the Diwan of Royal Court.