Latrodectus is a genus of spiders in the family Theridiidae, most of which are commonly known as widow spiders. These spiders are notorious for the powerful venom of the females, which can cause severe reactions in humans, though bites are rarely fatal. This spider builds a tangled, irregular web in dark, hidden places. This web is not the classic spiral web seen in orb-weaving spiders but rather a chaotic, disordered structure designed to capture wandering insects.