The brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa) is infamous for its dangerous bite and distinctive violin-shaped marking. Often mistaken for other spiders, accurate identification is crucial to avoid unnecessary alarm and ensure proper response to potential bites. This article highlights ten common spiders that are frequently confused with the brown recluse. Understanding their unique features will help you correctly identify these spiders and distinguish them from the brown recluse.
Southern House Spider
Description: The Southern House Spider (Kukulcania hibernalis) is commonly found in homes across the southeastern United States. Females can grow up to 19mm (0.74 inches) in body length, while males are about 10mm (0.39 inches). The spider’s body is brown or amber, with a distinctive light gray, velvet-like texture on the abdomen. Its legs are uniformly colored, lacking the banding seen in some other spiders.
Comparison with Brown Recluse:
- Violin Marking: The Southern House Spider lacks the brown recluse’s distinctive violin-shaped marking on its cephalothorax.
- Legs: Southern House Spider’s legs are uniformly colored, while the brown recluse’s legs have smooth, unbanded coloration.
- Behavior: The Southern House Spider is more active in open spaces, whereas the brown recluse prefers dark, secluded areas and uses its web primarily as a retreat rather than for trapping prey.
Arizona Black Hole Spider
Description: The Arizona Black Hole Spider (Kukulcania arizonica) is native to the southwestern United States, including Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and California. Females typically grow up to 13mm in body length, while males are thinner with longer legs. This spider is characterized by its black, velvet-textured body, distinguishing it from other species. Its coloration and structure help it blend into dark crevices and corners.
Comparison with Brown Recluse:
- Color: The Arizona Black Hole Spider is black, whereas the brown recluse is brown or tan.
- Violin Marking: The Arizona Black Hole Spider lacks the brown recluse’s violin-shaped marking on its cephalothorax.
- Habitat: The Arizona Black Hole Spider is commonly found in crevices around buildings, while the brown recluse prefers secluded, undisturbed indoor areas such as basements and attics.
3. Giant House Spider
Description: The Giant House Spider (Eratigena duellica) is a large, dark brown spider commonly found in homes across North America. Females can grow up to 18.5mm (0.73 inches) in body length, while males are slightly smaller. The spider features lighter markings on the sternum, with three light spots on each side forming an arrow shape pointing towards the spider’s head. Its legs, abdomen, and pedipalps are covered in fine hairs.
Comparison with Brown Recluse:
- Markings: The Giant House Spider has three light spots on each side forming an arrow pattern, unlike the brown recluse’s violin-shaped marking.
- Color and Texture: It has a darker brown color with hairy legs, while the brown recluse has a uniform color and smooth legs.
- Size: The Giant House Spider is generally larger than the brown recluse.
- Behavior: The Giant House Spider is more commonly seen in open areas, while the brown recluse prefers dark, secluded spaces and primarily uses its web as a retreat rather than for trapping prey.
4. Barn Funnel Weaver
Description: The Barn Funnel Weaver (Tegenaria domestica) is a common spider in North America and Europe. Females can grow up to 11.5mm (0.45 inches) in body length, with males being slightly smaller. This spider is usually brown, with striped legs and two black stripes on the cephalothorax. The abdomen often features a chevron pattern.
Comparison with Brown Recluse:
- Markings: The Barn Funnel Weaver has black stripes on the cephalothorax and a chevron pattern on the abdomen, unlike the brown recluse’s violin-shaped marking.
- Legs: Its legs are striped, whereas the brown recluse’s legs are uniformly colored and smooth.
- Web: The Barn Funnel Weaver builds a funnel-shaped web, while the brown recluse’s web is typically a retreat and not used for trapping prey.
- Behavior: The Barn Funnel Weaver is often seen in more open spaces like barns, whereas the brown recluse prefers dark, secluded areas.
5. Hobo Spider
Description: The Hobo Spider (Eratigena agrestis) is a brown spider found in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. It can reach up to 14mm (0.55 inches) in body length. This spider is characterized by its chevron-patterned abdomen, which has chevrons pointing towards the head, and a light stripe down the sternum. The cephalothorax features a diffused pattern.
Comparison with Brown Recluse:
- Abdomen Pattern: The Hobo Spider has a distinct chevron pattern on its abdomen, whereas the brown recluse has a uniform abdomen color.
- Sternum Stripe: The Hobo Spider has a light stripe running down the sternum, which is not present in the brown recluse.
- Cephalothorax Pattern: The Hobo Spider’s cephalothorax has a diffused pattern, while the brown recluse has a distinct violin-shaped marking.
- Behavior: The Hobo Spider is commonly found in outdoor environments and builds funnel-shaped webs, while the brown recluse is typically found indoors in dark, undisturbed areas and uses its web mainly as a retreat.
6. Desert Grass Spider
Description: The Desert Grass Spider (Agelenopsis aperta), also known as the funnel-web spider, inhabits arid regions of North America. It can be black, brown, or gray, with a tan or gray cephalothorax featuring two brown stripes. The abdomen is tan with two black stripes. This spider has long legs and is known for its speed.
Comparison with Brown Recluse:
- Color and Markings: The Desert Grass Spider has a tan or gray cephalothorax with two brown stripes and a tan abdomen with two black stripes, whereas the brown recluse is uniformly brown or tan.
- Legs: Desert Grass Spider’s long legs are a distinguishing feature, unlike the shorter, uniformly colored legs of the brown recluse.
- Web: The Desert Grass Spider constructs a funnel-shaped web, while the brown recluse spins a more irregular, retreat-style web.
- Behavior: The Desert Grass Spider is often found outdoors and is highly active, whereas the brown recluse prefers dark, undisturbed indoor areas.
7. Brown Widow Spider
Description: The Brown Widow Spider (Latrodectus geometricus) is found in various regions including the southern United States. It is generally brown with a distinctive geometric pattern on its abdomen and an orange or yellow hourglass marking underneath. Females can grow up to 13mm (0.5 inches) in body length, while males are smaller.
Comparison with Brown Recluse:
- Color and Markings: The Brown Widow Spider features a geometric pattern and an hourglass marking on the underside of its abdomen, unlike the brown recluse’s uniform brown color and violin-shaped marking.
- Shape: The Brown Widow has a more rounded, bulbous abdomen compared to the brown recluse’s more elongated, slender abdomen.
- Web: The Brown Widow builds a web with a more regular, orb-like structure for trapping prey, whereas the brown recluse spins irregular webs mainly as retreats.
- Behavior: The Brown Widow is typically found outdoors and is more aggressive in its web-building, while the brown recluse prefers secluded indoor environments and avoids confrontation.
8. Wolf Spider
Description: The Wolf Spider (Lycosidae family) is a robust, agile spider found throughout North America. It varies in color from brown to gray, often with a mottled pattern. Wolf Spiders can grow up to 22mm (0.87 inches) in body length, with long, strong legs and large, prominent eyes.
Comparison with Brown Recluse:
- Color and Pattern: Wolf Spiders have a mottled pattern and can vary in color, while the brown recluse has a more uniform brown coloration with a distinct violin-shaped marking.
- Eyes: Wolf Spiders have eight prominent eyes arranged in a row, unlike the brown recluse’s six eyes arranged in pairs.
- Legs: The Wolf Spider has long, powerful legs suited for running, whereas the brown recluse’s legs are shorter and uniformly colored.
- Behavior: Wolf Spiders are active hunters and can be seen roaming the ground, while the brown recluse is more reclusive and prefers undisturbed, dark areas.
9. Golden Huntsman Spider
Description: The Golden Huntsman Spider (Olios argelasius) is a large spider native to the southeastern United States. It features a golden or reddish-brown color with a smooth, shiny appearance. This spider can reach up to 15mm (0.59 inches) in body length. Its legs are long and slender, with a distinctive, smooth texture.
Comparison with Brown Recluse:
- Color and Texture: The Golden Huntsman Spider is golden or reddish-brown and has a smooth, shiny texture, unlike the brown recluse’s dull, uniform brown appearance.
- Legs: The Golden Huntsman’s legs are notably long and slender, whereas the brown recluse’s legs are shorter and uniformly colored.
- Web: The Golden Huntsman does not spin a web for trapping prey but may create a small retreat. In contrast, the brown recluse spins irregular webs mainly for shelter and egg-laying.
- Behavior: The Golden Huntsman is a fast, active hunter found in outdoor environments, while the brown recluse prefers dark, secluded indoor spaces and is less aggressive.
10. Funnel Weaver Spider
Description: The Funnel Weaver Spider (Tegenaria domestica), also known as the Barn Funnel Weaver, is commonly found in and around homes in North America. It is brown to orange in color, with a distinct funnel-shaped web. The spider itself has a flattened body with a characteristic long, slender shape and can grow up to 11.5mm (0.45 inches) in body length.
Comparison with Brown Recluse:
- Color and Markings: The Funnel Weaver Spider has a brown to orange body with a distinctive funnel-shaped web and may have a chevron pattern on its abdomen, unlike the brown recluse’s uniform brown color and violin marking.
- Shape: The Funnel Weaver’s body is more flattened and elongated compared to the brown recluse’s more compact and robust build.
- Web: The Funnel Weaver constructs a large, visible funnel-shaped web, while the brown recluse spins irregular webs mainly for shelter.
- Behavior: The Funnel Weaver is often found outdoors or in well-used areas, actively building its funnel-shaped web, whereas the brown recluse prefers dark, undisturbed indoor areas and is less visible.
Summary
The brown recluse spider, known for its dangerous bite and violin-shaped marking, is often confused with other similar spiders. Common look-alikes include the Southern House Spider, which has a velvet-like texture but lacks the violin marking, and the Arizona Black Hole Spider, which is black and also lacks this marking. Other similar spiders include the Giant House Spider, with distinct lighter markings and hairy legs, and the Barn Funnel Weaver, which creates a funnel-shaped web. The Hobo Spider and Desert Grass Spider also differ in their markings and web-building habits. Identifying these differences helps in distinguishing the brown recluse from its look-alikes.
