Brown Recluse, Violin Spider, Fiddleback Spider
Loxosceles reclusa
Sicariidae (Six-Eyed Sand Spiders and Recluses), Order Araneae
Physical Description
The specimen displays the characteristic flat, pear-shaped cephalothorax and oval abdomen. It has a smooth, fine-haired appearance without the long thick spines seen on many other spiders. The legs are slender and lack thick banding.
Size Estimate
Estimated body length 6-12mm; leg span approximately 25-35mm. It appears to be an adult specimen.
Coloration & Markings
Uniformly light to medium brown/tan abdomen and legs. The cephalothorax features a darker brown, violin-shaped marking with the 'neck' of the violin pointing toward the abdomen.
Web Type
Builds small, haphazard, grayish-white 'tangle' or 'cobweb' style webs, typically in dark, undisturbed corners or crevices.
Eye Arrangement
Highly diagnostic pattern of six eyes arranged in three pairs (dyads) in a semi-circle across the front of the cephalothorax.
Leg Characteristics
The legs are long, thin, and slant outwards. They lack obvious spines or banding, appearing covered in very fine, velvet-like hairs.
Venom & Safety Information
Venom Information
Contains a potent cytotoxic protein called sphingomyelinase D. This can cause necrosis (tissue death) and, in rare cases, systemic reactions.
Medical Significance
Medically significant. Most bites result in minor redness, but some can develop into a necrotic ulcer. Severe cases (Loxoscelism) are rare but require medical monitoring.
Safety Recommendations
Shake out shoes and clothing stored in dark areas. Wear gloves when moving woodpiles. If bitten, clean the area, apply ice, and seek medical attention if a sore develops.
Habitat & Behavior
Habitat & Range
Primarily found in the Central and Southeastern United States. Favors dry, dark, undisturbed areas like attics, basements, woodpiles, and behind baseboards.
Behavior & Temperament
Reclusive and non-aggressive. It is a nocturnal hunter that wanders for food rather than staying in a web. It typically bites only when trapped against skin.
Diet & Prey
Primary diet consists of soft-bodied insects like silverfish, crickets, and cockroaches. They are known scavengers that will eat dead insects.
Seasonal Activity
Active year-round indoors, but most sightings occur between March and October when males wander in search of mates.
Description
A modest-looking but medically significant spider of the American Midwest and South, known for its preference for human-made structures and its distinctive violin marking.
Key Features
Six eyes in three pairs, violin-shaped marking on cephalothorax, solidly colored legs with no spines or bands, and necrotizing venom.
Similar Species
Often confused with Kukulcania hibernalis (Southern House Spider) or Tegenaria domestica (Barn Runner), but these have eight eyes and lack the specific violin mark.
Life Cycle
Females produce 1-5 egg sacs containing roughly 50 eggs each. They are long-lived for spiders, often reaching 2-4 years in favorable conditions.
Ecological Importance
Serves as an effective predator of household pests, particularly silverfish and small cockroaches, helping to regulate indoor insect populations.
Conservation Status
Not listed / Secure. Common in human-modified environments.
Interesting Facts
They can survive for months without food or water. Despite their reputation, many people live in heavily infested homes for years without ever being bitten.
Photography Tips
Focus on the top of the cephalothorax (front body segment) to clearly capture the eyes and the violin marking. Top-down macro shots are best for identification.
Identified: 2026-06-15T10:09:38.236007