Button spider is a common name used in southern Africa to refer to local members of the spider genus, Latrodectus, the family Theridiidae. These spiders are also known as widow spiders elsewhere in the world. There are approximately six Latrodectus species found in southern Africa--five of them native, one is possibly imported. All species of Latrodectus are venomous to man, their bite constitutes a medical emergency. Envenomation by these spiders can be fatal to children and ill or infirm adults. Ordinarily, the body mass of a healthy adult is sufficient to dilute the venom to less than a fatal concentration.
The species are informally divided into two groups, based on their color:
The black button spiders are black in color (and generally adorned with red dorsal markings), and include the following species:
All of these spiders are native to southern Africa.
The brown button spiders are lighter in color than the black button spiders; there are two brown button species:
L. geometricus is found in many parts of the world (including in the United States where it is known as the brown widow spider); it is unknown where this species' origins are. L. rhodesienses is native to Africa. Both brown button species have the famed hourglass markings of the black widow on their abdomens, but are generally lighter in color. The brown button spiders' venom is less toxic to humans than the venom of the black buttons.