Recluse(Loxosceles)

Recluse spiders, often called brown spiders, are part of the Sicariidae family. You’ll find them mostly in warm areas, including parts of the United States, Africa, and Asia. Here, we’ll share facts about these intriguing creatures.

Scientific Classification

• Family: Sicariidae
• Genus: Loxosceles

List of Spiders Belonging to the Genus

Loxosceles accepta	Loxosceles bentejui	Loxosceles coquimbo
Loxosceles adelaida	Loxosceles bergeri	Loxosceles corozalensis
Loxosceles alamosa	Loxosceles bettyae	Loxosceles coyote
Loxosceles alicea	Loxosceles blancasi	Loxosceles cubana
Loxosceles amazonica	Loxosceles blanda	Loxosceles cubiroensis
Loxosceles anomala	Loxosceles boneti	Loxosceles curimaguensis
Loxosceles apachea	Loxosceles candela	Desert Recluse (Loxosceles deserta)
Loxosceles aphrasta	Loxosceles carabobensis	Loxosceles devia
Loxosceles aranea	Loxosceles caribbaea	Loxosceles fontainei
Loxosceles arizonica	Loxosceles carmena	Loxosceles foutadjalloni
Loxosceles aurea	Loxosceles chapadensis	Loxosceles francisca
Loxosceles baja	Loxosceles chinateca	Loxosceles frizzelli
Loxosceles barbara	Loxosceles colima	Loxosceles gaucho
Loxosceles belli	Loxosceles conococha	Loxosceles gloria
Loxosceles guajira	Loxosceles guatemala	Loxosceles guayota
Loxosceles harrietae	Loxosceles herreri	Loxosceles hirsuta
Loxosceles huasteca	Loxosceles hupalupa	Loxosceles immodesta
Loxosceles inca	Loxosceles insula	Loxosceles intermedia
Loxosceles jaca	Loxosceles jamaica	Loxosceles jarmila
Loxosceles julia	Loxosceles kaiba	Loxosceles lacroixi
Loxosceles lacta	Chilean Recluse (Loxosceles laeta)	Loxosceles lawrencei
Loxosceles lutea	Loxosceles luteola	Loxosceles mahan
Loxosceles maisi	Loxosceles manuela	Loxosceles martha
Loxosceles meruensis	Loxosceles nahuana	Loxosceles neuvillei
Loxosceles niedeguidonae	Loxosceles olivaresi	Loxosceles olmea
Loxosceles pallidecolorata	Loxosceles palma	Loxosceles panama
Loxosceles parramae	Loxosceles persica	Loxosceles pilosa
Loxosceles piura	Loxosceles pucara	Loxosceles puortoi
Loxosceles reclusa	Loxosceles rica	Loxosceles rosana
Loxosceles rothi	Mediterranean Recluse (Loxosceles rufescens)	Loxosceles rufipes
Loxosceles russelli	Loxosceles sabina	Loxosceles sansebastianensis
Loxosceles seri	Loxosceles similis	Loxosceles simillima
Loxosceles smithi	Loxosceles sonora	Loxosceles spadicea
Loxosceles speluncarum	Loxosceles spinulosa	Loxosceles surca
Loxosceles taeniopalpis	Loxosceles taino	Loxosceles tazarte
Loxosceles tehuana	Loxosceles tenango	Loxosceles teresa
Loxosceles tibicena	Loxosceles tlacolula	Loxosceles valdosa
Loxosceles variegata	Loxosceles virgo	Loxosceles vonwredei
Loxosceles weyrauchi	Loxosceles willianilsoni	Loxosceles yucatana
Loxosceles zapoteca

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

• Size: These spiders have a length of about 7 to 12 mm (0.27 to 0.47 inches).

• Color: Most species of the recluse family have a dark brown body, while the color ranges may vary from white, blackish gray, or dark brown.

• Other characteristics: Most of them possess six eyes arranged in groups of three. Certain spiders of this genus particularly the brown recluse have a violin marking on their cephalothorax.

Eggs

The eggs of the majority of the species belonging to this genus are contained in a silken sac that has an off-white color with the outer part woven loosely.

Spiderlings

The spiderlings closely resemble the adults, though they have a lighter body color.

The Web

Being hunting spiders, they do not need to catch their prey using webs. However, the webs woven by most of them have an irregular pattern, being constructed loosely.

Are Recluse Spiders Venomous?

Recluse spiders are venomous, with bites that can cause severe wounds and symptoms called loxoscelism. Females have more toxins than males. Though mostly non-aggressive, they bite for self-defense or when trapped in clothing. The brown recluse is the most dangerous, and its bite may need medical care.

Can Recluse Spiders Bite?

Yes, recluse spiders can bite. While they typically avoid humans, they might bite if they feel threatened.

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Recluse Spider

Recluse spiders contribute to the control of insect populations in their environments. As nocturnal hunters, they consume a variety of household pests, aiding in ecological balance. Their presence often goes unnoticed due to their secretive nature and preference for reclusive habitats.

Natural Predators: Natural predators of the Recluse spider include cats, birds, and other spider species. These predators serve as a natural control mechanism for the Recluse population, preventing overpopulation and its associated risks.

Prey-Predator Dynamics: As predators, Recluse spiders regulate the populations of insects they prey upon, like cockroaches, flies, moths, and crickets. This dynamic illustrates the spider’s role in their ecosystems as both predator and prey.

Relationship with Humans: Recluse spiders are generally non-confrontational and avoid human contact. Their venom, while potent, is typically only delivered in defense if the spider is pressed against human skin, such as when trapped within clothing. Their bites can cause significant medical conditions, known as loxoscelism, and may require medical attention, particularly those of the brown recluse.

Quick Facts

Other Names	Violin spider, fiddle-back, reaper
Distribution	Parts of Africa, America, and Asia
Habitat	Mostly in dark, dingy areas like cellars, sheds, garages, and  closets
Lifespan	½ to 2 Years
Diet	Small prey like cockroaches, flies, moths, and crickets
Predators	Cats, birds, other spiders

Did You Know

• Apart from the brown recluse spider, other prominent members of this genus include the Mediterranean recluse and Chilean recluse.

In summary, Recluse spiders, particularly noted for their venomous bite, play a silent yet impactful role in their ecosystems by managing pest populations.