 BROWN RECLUSE SPIDER (Loxosceles reclusa)
Biology
- Color varies from yellowish to light tan to dark brown.
- A dark brown violin marking can be found on the cephalothorax.
- Six eyes are situated in 3 groups of 2 in a semicircle pattern
- Body length can range from ¼ to ½ inch long with long thin legs each with two tarsal claws.
Distribution/Habits
- Natural infestations occur in outdoor situations where spiders live in piles of debris.
- They have adapted well to indoor habitats and are commonly found in storage areas, crawl spaces and other dark recesses.
- They seem to prefer layered situations like stacks of clutter.
- They are nocturnal spiders that feed on soft-bodied insect species.
- Females retreat to an irregularly spun off-white web in undisturbed areas. These webs are not designed to entangle prey.
- Bites occur when the spider is hiding and accidentally becomes trapped against the skin. The venom associated with the bite causes great discomfort to humans.
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