Animals
Facts about Brown recluse spider
Small but dangerous
Loxosceles reclusa, sometimes called fiddleback or violin spider, is a pesky arachnid, that thrives in human environment. Although reclusive in nature (hence their name), they are known for their necrotic venom, more potent than a rattlesnake. Resilient to withstand cold and hot weather, they can survive many months without any food or water.
1
Brown recluse spider is native to southern and central United States.
2
It is approximately 6 – 20 millimeters (0.24 – 0.79 inches) tall.
3
It is usually light or dark brown, but also in shades of grey.
4
Members of Loxosceles genus have violin-shaped marking on top of their cephalothorax. The color intensity depends on the age of spider.
5
An average lifespan of brown recluse varies from 2 to 4 years. They reach adulthood within a year.
6
Brown recluse is often mistaken for wolf spider. As a matter of fact, these two are not difficult to distinguish – brown recluse, apart from the violin-shaped marking, has also its legs uniformly colored.
7
Brown recluse are not aggressive, but will bite when disturbed or threaten. When they spot human coming towards them, they run in the opposite direction.
8
Its venom is necrotic. Both male and female can inject venom. However poisonous, its bite is not deadly. People react differently to brown recluse bite, some develop a necrotic wound and require an immediate medical attention.
9
Unlike most spiders, brown recluse spiders have six eyes. Most spiders have eight eyes.
10
Their eyes are arranged in dyads and are equal in size. Other spiders have their eyes arranged in rows of four.
11
Their abdomen is uniformly colored. Colors vary from dark brown to light cream. It is also covered with fine hairs that resemble velvet.
12
Female brown recluse needs to mate only once to produce eggs throughout its entire life. One female can produce roughly around 150 spiderlings per year.
13
Brown recluse spiders lay eggs from May to July.
14
They are active from March to October.
15
They are nocturnal creatures.
16
Brown recluse build irregular webs, but do not use them to capture prey. They prefer to hunt at night, chasing their victims.
17
They feed on soft-bodied insects, not necessarily freshly killed. They are also known for cannibalism.
18
They are susceptible to flat, sticky cards. It’s believed to be the most effective way to get rid of these unwanted tenants.
