How do black widow spiders produce latrotoxin?

The difference is that female black widows produce ample amounts of highly potent venom to the point that these spiders are even crafting stronger webs ... read more

Muscle cells will experience fused or complete tetanus when excess acetylcholine exists. read more

The black widow spider’s venom is 15 times more toxic than a rattlesnake's. Five neurotoxins -- alpha, beta, gamma, delta and epsilon latroinsectotoxins -- target only other insects. Another neurotoxin, called alpha latrocrustatoxin, affects crustaceans like shrimp, lobster and crabs. read more

The painful bites and lethal venom of black widow spiders have evolved rapidly over the years, according to a new study that also found common house spiders produce similar toxic compounds. The difference is that female black widows produce ample amounts of highly potent venom to the point that these spiders are even crafting stronger webs to handle ever-bigger prey. read more