I figured its was about time to add a new entry to my Natures Wonders insect line so "Spiders" seemed like an obvious choice. My initial base set includes 6 types of Black Widow from around the world. The "Western" is probably the most iconic species with the hourglass on its underside. Interestingly, the male Black Widow, in this species, looks nothing like the female, its brown and much small (and, of course, much shorter lived). Only females bite. Although the reputation of these spiders is notorious and their venom does affect humans, only mature females are capable of envenomation in humans. The venom injected by the female black widow is known as alpha-latrotoxin which binds to receptors at the neuromuscular motor end plate of both sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves, resulting in increased synaptic concentration of catecholamines. The symptoms are caused by lymphatic absorption and vascular dissemination of the neurotoxin. Deaths in humans have been recorded in the 1920’s before antivemons were created. Juveniles and female adults can eject a chunk of viscid silk toward potential predators. While this silk is not toxic, its mechanical irritation can thwart most predators. adult males are unable to produce this defensive silk, presumably because they need to conserve energy for reproduction during their relatively short life span.