Brown Recluse

The brown recluse or fiddleback/violin spider gets its common names from its coloration and reclusive habits, or the dark violin/fiddle-shaped marking on the top of the cephalothroax. Members of the genus Loxosceles occur in Europe, temperate Africa, and in North, Central, and South America. Brown recluse spiders occur generally throughout the United States, and of 11 species recognized, seven are of public health importance.

Recognition

Adults are usually about 1/4-1/2 inch in body length. Color tan to dark brown with a darker fiddle-shaped marking on dorsum or top of cephalothorax whose neck points towards abdomen. Uniquely, with six eyes arranged in three groups of two in a semicircle.

Immatures very similar to adults except for being smaller and slightly paler.

Habits

Outside, brown recluse spiders typically are found around rocks, piles of inner tubes, utility boxes, woodpiles, under bark, etc. These spiders have been found in such places as outside rodent bait stations and infesting cedar shake roofs.

Inside the home, they can be found in almost any undisturbed area to which they can gain access. They are most commonly found in boxes, among papers, and in seldom-used clothing and shoes, although they can be found in corners, underneath tables and chairs, or in crevices such as those found along baseboards, doors, and window moldings. Hence, storage areas such as closets, bedrooms, attics, crawl spaces, and basements are the areas of greatest occurrence. They typically run for cover when disturbed. Bites have been reported to occur when putting on seldom-used clothing or shoes, when cleaning out storage areas, or by rolling on the spider while in bed.