Brown Recluse, Violin Spider, Fiddleback Spider
Loxosceles reclusa
Sicariidae (Six-eyed 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 (pubescence) giving it a matte or velvety texture. It lacks the long, thick spines found on many other common house spiders.
Size Estimate
Body length is typically 6-12mm (approx. 1/4 to 1/2 inch) with a leg span reaching up to the size of a U.S. quarter (roughly 25-30mm). This specimen appears to be an adult.
Coloration & Markings
Uniform tan to dark brown abdomen without patterns. The cephalothorax features a distinct, darker brown violin-shaped marking with the 'neck' of the violin pointing toward the rear of the spider.
Web Type
Builds irregular, haphazard retreat webs in dark, undisturbed areas. The silk is sticky and off-white. It does not use the web to catch flying prey like an orb-weaver, but rather as a home base.
Eye Arrangement
Distinctive arrangement of six eyes organized into three pairs (dyads) in a semi-circle. Most spiders have eight eyes, making this a primary diagnostic feature.
Leg Characteristics
Long, slender, and uniformly colored. They lack obvious spines or banding. When at rest, the spider often holds its legs in a characteristic spread-out posture.
Venom & Safety Information
Venom Information
Contains a cytotoxic (tissue-destroying) enzyme called sphingomyelinase D. The venom is medically significant and can cause necrotic skin lesions in some cases.
Medical Significance
Medically significant. While most bites heal without complication, some cause loxoscelism (necrosis). Symptoms include pain after several hours, blistering, and a 'bullseye' lesion. Seek medical attention if a bite is suspected.
Safety Recommendations
Shake out clothing and shoes stored in dark places. Use glue traps for monitoring. Do not handle with bare hands; use a jar and paper for relocation or contact professional pest control for infestations.
Habitat & Behavior
Habitat & Range
Commonly found in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. They prefer dark, dry, undisturbed microhabitats such as woodpiles, basements, attics, and behind furniture or wall voids.
Behavior & Temperament
As the name 'recluse' suggests, they are shy and non-aggressive. They typically only bite when pressed against the skin (e.g., inside clothing or bedding). They are nocturnal active hunters.
Diet & Prey
Feeds on a variety of small insects like silverfish, crickets, and cockroaches. They are known for scavenging dead insects as well as active hunting.
Seasonal Activity
Most active from spring through autumn. During winter, they remain dormant in shielded locations unless temperatures inside a home remain consistent.
Description
The Brown Recluse is one of the most misunderstood and feared spiders in North America. It is a plain-looking, brownish spider distinguished primarily by its violin marking and six-eye arrangement. It plays a role as an indoor predator of pests.
Key Features
Violin-shaped mark on cephalothorax; six eyes in three pairs; sandy-brown uniform coloration; no leg spines; shy behavior.
Similar Species
Cellar spiders (Pholcidae) have much longer, thinner legs. Wolf spiders (Lycosidae) have large eyes and different patterns. Southern House Spiders (Kukulcania hibernalis) are often confused but lack the six-eye pattern.
Life Cycle
Females produce 1-5 egg sacs containing about 50 eggs each. Spiderlings take about a year to reach maturity and adults can live for 1 to 2 years.
Ecological Importance
Act as significant predators of indoor pests, including silverfish and small cockroaches, helping to maintain balance in the domestic indoor biome.
Conservation Status
Not listed. Generally considered abundant and stable throughout their native range.
Interesting Facts
Brown recluse spiders can survive for months without food or water. They are known to be highly resilient to standard household pesticides if they remain in deep wall voids.
Photography Tips
A macro shot focusing directly on the cephalothorax (top side) is essential to see the violin mark and the eye arrangement for definitive identification.
Identified: 2026-06-24T13:03:26.233867