Brown Recluse, Fiddleback Spider, Violin Spider
Loxosceles reclusa
Sicariidae (Recluse Spiders), Order Araneae
Physical Description
A medium-sized spider with a relatively flat cephalothorax and an oval-shaped abdomen. The body is covered in fine, short hairs giving it a velvety appearance. It possesses long, slender legs that lack thick spines.
Size Estimate
Body length 6-20 mm; leg span approx. 25-50 mm (1-2 inches). This specimen appears to be an adult.
Coloration & Markings
Uniformly light to medium brown/tan body with no stripes or bands on the legs. Most distinctive is the dark brown 'violin' or 'fiddle' shaped marking on the dorsal cephalothorax, with the neck of the violin pointing toward the abdomen.
Web Type
Irregular, non-sticky, grayish-white silk tangles. Usually built in dark, undisturbed corners or crevices for retreats rather than prey capture.
Eye Arrangement
Six eyes (dyads) arranged in three pairs in a semi-circle: one median pair and two lateral pairs. This is a key diagnostic feature distinguishing it from most other spiders which have eight eyes.
Leg Characteristics
Long, thin, and smooth-looking legs. The legs are uniformly colored without bands, mottling, or heavy spines. They are held in a somewhat sprawled, flattened posture.
Venom & Safety Information
Venom Information
Contains sphingomyelinase D, a dermonecrotic toxin. Venom can cause tissue death (necrosis) at the bite site.
Medical Significance
Medically significant. While most bites are minor, some can cause necrotic skin lesions (loxoscelism). Systemic reactions are rare but serious. Seek medical attention if a bite is suspected.
Safety Recommendations
Shake out shoes and clothing left on the floor. Wear gloves when moving woodpiles or cleaning attics. Use glue traps for monitoring and seal cracks/crevices. In case of a bite, apply ice and seek medical care.
Habitat & Behavior
Habitat & Range
Primarily the Central and Southern United States. Found in dark, dry, undisturbed areas like woodpiles, sheds, basements, closets, and behind furniture.
Behavior & Temperament
Reclusive, nocturnal, and non-aggressive. They typically run for cover when disturbed and only bite when trapped against skin (e.g., inside clothing or bedding).
Diet & Prey
Active hunters that leave their retreats at night. They feed on soft-bodied insects like crickets, cockroaches, and silverfish. They can survive long periods without food or water.
Seasonal Activity
Most active from spring through autumn. During winter, they typically remain dormant in sheltered retreats indoors or underground.
Description
The Brown Recluse is a shy but medically important spider. Renowned for its 'fiddle' marking, this spider is often misunderstood. It plays a role in indoor pest control but requires caution due to its necrotic venom.
Key Features
Six eyes in three pairs; dark violin-shaped marking; uniformly colored legs; fine velvety hair; no spines on legs.
Similar Species
Kukulcania hibernalis (Southern House Spider), Tegenaria domestica (Barn Funnel Weaver), and various Wolf Spiders. Recluses are distinguished by eye count and lack of leg patterns.
Life Cycle
Females produce 1-5 egg sacs containing about 50 eggs each. They can live 1-2 years in the wild and longer in captivity. Spiderlings molt several times before reaching maturity.
Ecological Importance
Natural pest control agent, consuming common household pests like roaches and silverfish. They occupy a niche as a high-level invertebrate predator in dry microhabitats.
Conservation Status
Not evaluated by IUCN; widely distributed and common across its native range with stable populations.
Interesting Facts
The Brown Recluse is famous for its hardiness, capable of surviving for six months or more without food. Its venom is one of the few known to contain the enzyme sphingomyelinase D.
Photography Tips
Focus on the cephalothorax to capture the 'violin' pattern and use a macro lens to verify the eye arrangement (3 pairs). High-contrast lighting helps show the velvety texture.
Identified: 2026-05-30T02:45:17.048086