Brown Recluse
Loxosceles reclusa
Description 2
At least by name, the Brown Recluse (Loxosceles reclusa) is one of the best known spiders among non-arachnologists. The Brown Recluse is a small, yellowish brown spider with a characteristic darker mark on the carapace, broader at the front and narrowed behind (to some observers, this mark resembles the shape of a violin). Length is around 9 mm for females and 10 mm for males.
Loxosceles spiders are widely known because their bites can cause significant skin necrosis and other serious symptoms--although in the great majority of cases, no serious symptoms develop following a Brown Recluse bite. The Brown Recluse is normally found only in the south-central United States, with several related species in the southwestern United States and southward. Although they do have the potential to be quite serious, bites are uncommon even where Brown Recluses are common. As their name implies, Brown Recluses are reclusive and have a predilection for crevices and other tight locations. In nature, they can be found under rocks and the loose bark of dead trees.
Sources and Credits
- (c) A. Jaszlics, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.flickr.com/photos/8786969@N02/6113844285
- Adapted by okaloosascience from a work by (c) Leo Shapiro, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://eol.org/data_objects/26256161
