Name that Spider. Not a Black Widow.

Question

I went out to check my mail, and as I was coming back inside I saw a spider near the door, now I am terrified of spiders, so I backed up to see if it would go away on its own, it did not so I ended up using the back door. But here is a description of it.

Black head, smaller then the butt, a red butt both were shiny. The butt had a black hour glass on it.

It was definitely not a black widow, because it was on top of the butt not below.

I live in North Carolina, and well I am terrified of these annoying eight legged creatures, I want to know what it is so I can calm down. Thanks.

Answer 1

it sound like a redback but im pretty sure we only get them in austalia....if so, they are very poisonous!!

Answer 2

Are you sure the butt had a black hour glass on it? It isn't a Redback like the Aussie said above. Those are found in Australia, and are venomous. The Red-backed Jumping Spider is found in Western North America, and can bite, but isn't venomous.

I know of the Red-backed Jumping Spider (Phidippus johnsoni )

The spiders are black with a red butt (abdomen). The female of the species has a black marking on its red abdomen.

http://www.kaweahoaks.com/html/spi_phidi...

Contrary to what these others are saying, the Redback is indigenous to Australia. Also, it is all black, with a red marking. You described it as a black spider with a red abdomen with a black marking, and I'm guessing you don't live in Australia, so it wouldn't be the venomous Redback.

Answer 3

Your description sounds close to a fiddle back spider

Answer 4

It sounds like the redback spider

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redback_spi...