Black spider with a red dot
Hello,
Your site is so informative, it’s making me less afraid of spiders! We live in west Alabama and found this one in our kitchen. I don’t think it’s a black widow because the body really doesn’t seem to be the right shape, plus I didn’t see an hour glass on the its belly (but there is a tiny bit of red). Could you identity this mystery red-dot spider for me? Thanks,
Kelly B.
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Hi Kelly,
Your spider is a Red Spotted Antmimic Spider, Castianeira descripta, which according to BugGuide, has been reported from Alabama.
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Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama 
I also found a Red Spotted Antmimic Spider inside a home in southern WV, in early June, 2015. I have yet to verify their typical range or habitat, but there you go.
We just found one in Waxahachie TX.