Arachnid · GBIF taxon 5170704
Brown Recluse
Loxosceles reclusaAlso known as Violin Spider, Fiddleback Spider, Brown Fiddle Spider
Brown recluse spiders are solitary nocturnal hunters distinguished by a dark violin-shaped marking on their cephalothorax and six eyes arranged in pairs. Rather than weaving symmetrical webs, they spin loose, irregular silk retreats in dry, undisturbed locations like attics, woodpiles, and cardboard boxes. They actively stalk soft-bodied insects at night, relying on stealth and potent cytotoxic venom to immobilize prey.
VenomousNocturnalArachnid
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Cockroaches
- Crickets
- Silverfish
Predators
- Centipedes
- Wolf Spiders
- Lizards
ThreatsPesticide applications and habitat disturbance
HabitatsAttics, basements, crawl spaces, woodpiles, and dark storage areas
Life span1–2 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderAraneae
- FamilySicariidae
- GenusLoxosceles
- SpeciesLoxosceles reclusa
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskVery high
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is very high
- Possesses potent cytotoxic venom causing necrotic lesions; avoid reaching into dark, unlit spaces.
- Why it is dangerous
- Injects cytotoxic Sphingomyelinase D venom that breaks down cell membranes, causing localized tissue necrosis and slow-healing skin ulcers.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a dark violin-shaped pattern on the cephalothorax and six eyes arranged in three distinct pairs.
- What to do
- Wear heavy work gloves when moving stored boxes or firewood, and shake out footwear before putting it on.
Responsible observation
- Shake Out Garments: Check stored clothing, footwear, and bedding before use in endemic regions.
- Use Flashlights: Inspect dark corners, cardboard boxes, and crawl spaces carefully before reaching inside.
- Maintain Distance: Never attempt to handle or hand-capture spiders exhibiting violin markings.
Venomous Neighbor (c) Justin Williams, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Justin Williams · cc-by
Competitor (c) CK2AZ, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by CK2AZ · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Ludivine Lamare, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ludivine Lamare · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Kaz Born, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kaz Born · cc-by
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