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Identifying the Brown Recluse Spider
7/9/2008
Linda Langelo
Horticulture
Program Coordinator
Colorado State University Extension
Golden Plains
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After reading about a local incident with a brown recluse spider,
I thought it would be helpful to put together some pictures and special
characteristics that identify the brown recluse from other spiders.
The
brown recluse spider in the genus Loxosceles also called the fiddle back spider
or the violin spider is rare in Colorado because of our cold winters and dry
climate. However, during last spring and summer we have had a wetter season.
With or without a change in season, spiders or any insect can venture outside
their normal area. This spider tends to hideout in dark corners. It never makes
a web in an open area, but rather behind objects. It can crawl into shoes,
clothing and/or crawl in the bed sheets.
According to Colorado State
University Specialists, these spiders are often misidentified. They can be
mistaken for funnel web spiders, wolf spiders and even sun spiders. The best
identification is to capture the spider. There are several features which are
not easily identified unless the spider is placed under a
microscope.
Characteristics like six eyes arranged in pairs are unlike
other spiders with eight. The arrangement of these eyes is very distinctive.
This arrangement is one pair of eyes in front with a pair on either side. Only
spitting spiders or the genus Scytodes have the same arrangement but they have
no violin pattern as well as having other characteristics dissimilar from brown
recluse.
The next distinguishing feature is a dark violin shape behind
the head or cephalothorax. The legs are a light brown color with no stripes or
bands. There are no spines on the legs only fine hairs. Other spiders have
spines on their legs. The abdomen can vary from cream to dark brown. This
depends on what the spider has eaten. The brown recluse has a body length of
3/8 of an inch.
The following pictures are provided to show a true
brown recluse spider:
The pictures below are not brown recluse spiders, but appear
to be without a closer observation:
Cellar spiders,
Family Pholcidae, genus Psilochorus and/or Physocyclus
Crevice Weavers or Southern House Spiders,
Genus Kukulcania
The males can look like the brown recluse spider
according to University of California, Research Staff Associate Rick
Vetter.
For further information about spiders and chemical control
please stop in at the local Extension Office and pick up a fact sheet. You can
also go on-line to Colorado State University Extension Website, click on Fact
Sheets and then go to Insects. Read and view 5.512 Spiders in the
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Page Created and Maintained by: Perry D. Brewer, Area
Extension Agent (Technology Education/Youth)
7/17/2008 |
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